From Abdullahi Adamu Gusau
Zamfara Circle Community Initiative has expressed concern over the escalation of criminal attacks on the Gusau to Funtua federal highway, which serves as a vital lifeline connecting Zamfara to other parts of the country.
A statement issued by the Chairman of the association, Dr Aminu Lawal said
Despite the presence of security checkpoints along the route, innocent commuters continue to fall victim to the ruthless activities of bandits who have brazenly been unleashing terror on the road and neighboring communities for over a week, resulting in loss of lives and frequent kidnappings for ransom. These heinous acts not only undermine the safety and security of the affected communities but also disrupt economic activities and hinder development to Zamfara and other states in the Northwest region especially now that the road is being closed from 7:30 pm till morning indicating the helplessness of the situation.
The Circle condemned the attacks in the strongest possible terms and urged the federal government, as well as the governments of Zamfara and Katsina states, to take immediate and decisive action to address this grave security challenge.
The Circle called on the relevant authorities to deploy additional security personnel, including police, military, Community Protection Guards/Corps along the Gusau to Funtua federal highway to provide adequate protection to commuters and communities along the road to deter these criminal elements.
The Circle also called on President Tinubu to give clear directives and put military personnel along the route on the red alert to respond to distress calls as there are serious allegations that security personnel deployed on the road don’t respond to bandit attacks few miles away from their checkpoints.
The Circle also believed that it is high time for the Nigerian government to employ modern technology and intelligence-driven strategies for surveillance to monitor and track the movements of bandits and swiftly deal with them.
The Circle urged the federal government and the governments of Zamfara and Katsina states to prioritize the safety and security of their citizens by taking decisive action to address the root causes of insecurity in these troubled parts of the country.
As a civil society organization committed to the well-being of the people, the Circle stands ready to support government efforts and collaborate with all stakeholders in the quest to restore peace and stability in Zamfara state, Northwest and the country at large.
