In a tragic event that unfolded on Sunday, bandits launched an attack in Zamfara State, shooting the Director General of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (CPG), General Lawal B. Muhammad (rtd). The incident occurred in Kucheri village, located in Tsafe Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that the bandits blocked the busy Funtua-Tsafe road late in the evening, targeting motorists traveling through the area. During the attack, several passengers were abducted, and General Muhammad, who was present during the incident, sustained gunshot wounds. He was immediately rushed to Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau, the state capital, where he is currently receiving medical attention.
A source from the Zamfara State Ministry of Internal Security, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the attack and the injuries sustained by the General. “It is confirmed that the bandits shot the DG Community Protection Guards, and he is currently receiving treatment,” the source disclosed.
This attack comes just days after another violent incident in Tsafe Local Government, where bandits ambushed and killed eight CPG personnel and a commercial driver. In addition to these fatalities, the assailants engaged soldiers in a firefight at Unguwar Chida village, resulting in the death of a commercial driver and injuries to three soldiers.
General Muhammad had previously taken steps to address the banditry in Tsafe, deploying 105 CPG personnel to protect travelers along the road. Following the recent ambush, the General expressed his frustration, stating, "The bandits have made operations in Tsafe a routine exercise. Unfortunately, they ambushed my boys and killed some of them on the spot. It is quite unfortunate."
Zamfara State, like much of the Northwest region of Nigeria, continues to grapple with the devastating effects of banditry. Despite various government efforts to curb these violent activities, the bandits remain a persistent threat, inflicting terror on both residents and travelers.
