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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
Agriculture partnership: Gov Yahaya to get Sasakawa’s Special Award
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State will be honoured with a Special Recognition Award by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Nigeria, in acknowledgement of the state’s sustained partnership and strategic commitment to agricultural development.
The award will be presented at the 2026 SAA Nigeria Annual Stakeholders Workshop on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Abuja, where top federal officials, development partners, diplomats, and state governments are expected to gather to discuss pathways for strengthening Nigeria’s food systems.
The workshop, holding at Rockview Royale Hotel, Wuse II, is themed “SAA @ 40: Deepening Impact and Expanding Reach at Scale.”
The recognition of Governor Inuwa Yahaya reflects the depth of Gombe State’s collaboration with SAA over the years, which has supported agricultural extension, smallholder productivity, and rural livelihoods.
Since its creation in 1996, Gombe State has maintained a working relationship with SAA, funded by The Nippon Foundation, to implement initiatives that improve food security, nutrition, climate resilience, and inclusive agricultural services, with particular attention to women, youth, and resource-poor farmers.
Speaking ahead of the workshop, Dr. Godwin Atser, Country Director of SAA Nigeria, said:
“This recognition celebrates a partnership backed by action. Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s leadership reflects the kind of subnational commitment essential for transforming agriculture in Nigeria.
Gombe State’s sustained support for farmer-focused interventions demonstrates what can be achieved when political will, institutional alignment, and practical investment converge.”
SAA Nigeria’s collaboration with Gombe State encompasses a wide range of interventions, including Farmer Learning Platforms (FLP), Community Savings and Investment in Agriculture (CSIA), Private Extension Service Provision (PESP), and Community-Based Seed Multiplication (CBSM), among others. Together, these initiatives strengthen the agricultural ecosystem from production to post harvest, improve access to technology, knowledge, and markets, and enhance the capacities of farmers and rural actors.
The partnership also encourages pluralistic extension systems, involving the private sector, farmer organizations, research institutions, and civil society in scaling agricultural services across the state. This multi-dimensional cooperation underscores why Gombe State’s collaboration is deserving of recognition.
As SAA marks 40 years of operations in Africa and 33 years in Nigeria, the organization notes that sustainable agricultural transformation requires long-term commitment, collaboration, and strategic investment, qualities exemplified by Gombe State and Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
The recognition will be part of a broader conversation at the 2026 Annual Stakeholders Workshop, which will review SAA’s 2021–2025 achievements, share lessons, and explore future partnerships to strengthen agriculture in Nigeria and across Africa.
About Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA)
Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) was established in 1986 by Japanese philanthropist Ryoichi Sasakawa, Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug, and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Dedicated to improving the productivity, profitability, and resilience of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, SAA operates through agricultural extension, capacity building, and systems strengthening. Active in Nigeria since 1993, SAA collaborates with governments, research institutions, universities, private sector actors, and development partners to advance farmer-centered agricultural transformation.
Agriculture partnership: Gov Yahaya to get Sasakawa’s Special Award
JNIM terrorists clashes with rival factions in rare encounter in Nigeria’s Kebbi state
By: Zagazola Makama
A suspected clash between rival terrorists factions has been reported in Kebbi State, raising fresh security concerns in the North-West region.
Sources said the incident occurred on April 4, when a group identified as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed it engaged a rival faction described as “Khawarij”.
The group alleged that one fighter was killed and another captured during the encounter, while three motorcycles and about N10 million were recovered.
However, the identity of the opposing group has yet to be independently verified.
Preliminary indications suggest the rival faction may be linked to Boko Haram or one of its splinter groups, though this remains subject to confirmation.
Security sources said the development could represent one of the first reported inter-jihadist clashes in the region.
JNIM terrorists clashes with rival factions in rare encounter in Nigeria’s Kebbi state
Troops foil mob attack, rescue suspected terrorist in Danmusa in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 17 Brigade have foiled an attempt by a mob to lynch a suspected terrorist and burn down a police station in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on April 5, 2026, when troops deployed at Combat Team 1 in Danali village responded to a distress call from a Nigerian Police outpost in the area.
The police had reported that a large crowd attempted to set the station ablaze and attack personnel after a suspected terrorist was brought into custody.
Troops were immediately mobilised to the scene and successfully prevented further escalation of the situation, restoring order in the area.
During the intervention, police personnel reportedly fired tear gas to disperse the irate crowd, which led to injuries sustained by one civilian.
The injured victim was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
Security sources said calm had since returned to the area, while troops continued to maintain presence to prevent a resurgence of violence and ensure stability.
Troops foil mob attack, rescue suspected terrorist in Danmusa in Katsina
Agriculture partnership: Gov Yahaya to get Sasakawa’s Special Award
JNIM terrorists clashes with rival factions in rare encounter in Nigeria’s Kebbi state
Troops foil mob attack, rescue suspected terrorist in Danmusa in Katsina
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