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Troops’ presence renews hope for safety on Zamfara highways, but locals seek night patrols
Troops’ presence renews hope for safety on Zamfara highways, but locals seek night patrols
By: Zagazola Makama
Commuters and commercial drivers plying the Gusau–Tsafe highway in Zamfara State say the enhanced military presence in the area has brought renewed hope for safe travel after years of fear and deadly bandit attacks.
Zagazola Makama report that the highway, once a corridor of terror where bandits routinely blocked roads, abducted travellers, and ransacked surrounding villages, is now seeing relative calm within the last few months due to intensified operations by Nigerian Army troops, particularly along the Tsafe- Gusau road.
Commercial driver, Usman Bala, who plies the Gusau–Funtua route daily, said that the change is noticeable.
“We used to drive with our hearts in our mouths. Anytime we passed Dan Mali or Babban Kauye, we prayed hard. But now, soldiers are stationed at key flashpoints. You feel a sense of safety you haven’t felt in years,” he said.
Another commercial driver, Musa Lawali, echoed Bala’s sentiment, noting that bandits used to operate with impunity around Makera and Asaula.
“Before, we avoided evening trips. From 4:30 p.m., the road was a death trap. But now, I can move even close to 7 p.m. because I know troops are patrolling. Their presence alone scares the criminals,” Lawali said.
Private motorist Amina Idris, who travels from Gusau to Tsafe weekly for business, said her confidence has improved with every trip.
“I used to dread the journey, especially at Bamamu and Tashan Jirgi axis. I would call my family before I left and when I arrived. Now, I see military checkpoints and even patrols. It’s encouraging,” she said.
Similarly, Dauda Garba, a truck driver who frequently passes through Tsafe, described a recent encounter where troops responded swiftly to an attempted roadblock by suspected bandits.
“They came in within minutes. We saw the gun trucks approach, and the criminals ran. That kind of quick response saves lives,” Garba said.
Another commuter, Suleiman Ibrahim, who drives a private vehicle between Tsafe and Yankara, confirmed that the fear of daytime travel has reduced significantly.
“Before now, even private motorists had to follow convoys or wait for military escort. Now, we go freely. The presence of troops has changed the game,” he said.
But despite the improvements, traditional leaders and community stakeholders are calling for additional measures particularly night patrols to tackle nocturnal attacks.
The Yandoton Tsafe, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammadu Bawa, commended the military for recent gains but warned that many villages on the fringes of Tsafe are still vulnerable to night raids.
“We have seen progress in the last few weeks. Our roads are safer by day. But the bandits now operate at night. They move through forest corridors and attack villages like Makera, Bamamu, Tashan Jirgi, Dan Mali, Asaula, and Babban Kauye under cover of darkness,” he said.
Another sources from Tsafe identified some of the notorious elements behind these attacks, including a bandit leader known as Bakin Malam, and others such as Hassan Fari, Sarki, son of notorious bandit Ado Allero, and Umaru, son of kingpin Anaruwa.
“These are not petty criminals. They are experienced and armed. We appeal to the Nigerian Army to extend their operations to night patrols. That is when these terrorists strike the most,” he added.
He urged the deployment of additional combat platforms like CSK gun trucks and surveillance drones to cover forest routes and hard-to-reach enclaves where bandits regroup after daytime setbacks.
Despite the lingering threats, residents are beginning to reclaim their confidence, a development largely attributed to the recent push by the Nigerian Army to dominate key transportation routes and neutralise armed groups.
Though, Abdulkarim Abubakar, said the threat still persist along Kauran Namoda Road as notorious bandit kingpin Dan Sadiya is still posing significant threat to motorists and the community with attacks recorded almost every two days.
Meanwhile a frontline commander, told journalists that the military had repelled multiple attacks, recovered weapons including bomb components, and foiled bandits’ attempt to launch coordinated raids in Mada and Kizara areas.
“As the rains approach, we are working to secure farming communities so they can plant in peace,” he said.
For now, travellers like Usman Bala are simply grateful for the return of movement and peace on roads once feared for death and disappearance.
“Every peaceful journey we make is a blessing. We just want the soldiers to keep going and start moving at night too,” he added.
Troops’ presence renews hope for safety on Zamfara highways, but locals seek night patrols
Ex-perm sec joins APC in Gombe, pledges support for Gov Yahaya
Alhaji Abubakar Adamu, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Gombe State Civil Service has formally joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Gombe State.
Adamu who retired in August after serving 35 meritorious years in the civil service, picked his membership card in Dukku Local Government of Gombe State amidst cheers from the mammoth crowd of heavy weight politicians, groups and associations as well as friends and family who attended the event.
He said that the decision to go into politics was taken after due consultations, taking into cognizance, the political will of Gov. Inuwa Yahaya in providing what could best be described as dividends of democracy to the citizenry.
He said that he made up his mind to join politics on September 1, 2025 under the ruling All Progressive Congress as a way of contributing his quota to the development of his LGA and the state at large.
“The unprecedented developments brought to Dukku Local Government are visible enough for me to support the policies and programmes of the Yahaya-led administration in the state.
“I wish to state that I shall be loyal to the party at all times for its success in subsequent elections.”
The former permanent secretary appreciated the governor for the opportunity given to him to serve in the most exalted position as a carrier civil servant and the support and cooperation he received from the staff of the ministry of education.
Adamu who holds a prestigious traditional tittle of ‘Kawanyan Dukku’ bestowed on him by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Dukku Alhaji Haruna Abdulkadir Rasheed was indeed as a result of his loyalty, hard work and positive impact to Dukku Local Government and the state at large more importantly in the areas of human capital development and community-driven initiatives.
Speaking at the event, the State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress APC, Mr Nitte Amangal through the Deputy Chairman Alhaji Baba Abuja described the retired permanent secretary as a dedicated person that always identifies with his community, assuring him that the party would treat him like any other party faithful.
Mr Nitte Amangal therefore, urged both the LGA and State leadership of the party to accord the retired Adamu equal priority to tap from his wealth of experience and generosity for the development of the party in the state.
In their comments, the Executive Chairman Dukku Local and the APC Chairman Dukku Local Government Area Alhaji Adamu Muhammed Waziri and Alhaji Shehu Saadu respectively, described the retired permanent secretary as committed and always concerned about the development of his communities which they said are the qualities of progressive members of the party.
The Member of Gombe State House of Assembly representing Dukku North, Hon Nasiru Abdulkarim said the decision taken by the retired permanent secretary was apt and would assist significantly in ensuring success of the party at different levels.
The event also featured goodwill messages by the APC chairmen from Gombe, Kwami, Funakaye and Nafada local government councils.
Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, Kawanyan Dukku amidst large crowd of friends and well-wishers then paid a homage to the palace of His Royal Highness the Emir of Dukku Alhaji Haruna Abdulkadr Rasheed who congratulated him for successful retirement and wished him success in his new chosen political carrier.
Ex-perm sec joins APC in Gombe, pledges support for Gov Yahaya
Troops, air force launch offensive on terrorists in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, supported by the Nigerian Air Force component, have launched fresh offensives on terrorist enclaves in Zango, Zamfara State.
Zagazola Makama report that the operations took place on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 in Zango hills and surrounding areas.
The sources said that airstrikes were conducted on terrorist hideouts while ground troops, in conjunction with operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), stormed the high grounds and engaged the criminals.
“Troops further searched Zango village overnight. No direct contact was made, but intercepts from terrorist channels revealed up to 15 fatalities and several others with gunshot wounds,” the source said.
The offensive, according to the sources, was part of sustained operations to dislodge terrorists from their strongholds in the North-West.
End
Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested two suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 4 during a fighting patrol to Yaka village by a quick response team.
The suspects, according to the source, are in troop custody for further investigation and action.
Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto
Ex-perm sec joins APC in Gombe, pledges support for Gov Yahaya
Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno
Troops, air force launch offensive on terrorists in Zamfara
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