Bandits blocked the Gusau-Funtua highway, kidnapping multiple travelers in a brazen attack, raising concerns over road safety in the region.

Armed bandits have reportedly abducted an unknown number of travelers after setting up a roadblock on the heavily trafficked Gusau-Funtua highway.

In the wee hours of Thursday, marauders commandeered roughly 50 motorcycles in their bid to intercept passing vehicles on the road.

Several travelers were captured by bandits who set up a roadblock near the Tazame area of the highway, according to Yusuf Tsafe, a stranded commuter who informed Channels Television.

Read ALso: Bandits Attack Convoy in Zamfara, Killing 8 Security Personnel

Tsafe reported that they arrived on the road at approximately 7 am and remained there until 9 am. While parked by the roadside, waiting for military personnel to clear out any danger, they witnessed bandits forcefully taking individuals into nearby bushes.

The road is still obstructed and no vehicles have been permitted to proceed, even though a military guntruck had previously arrived and exchanged fire with the bandits.

Bandits have reportedly caused obstruction on the Magazu-Kucheri Road, a vital connection between Gusau and Funtua, as confirmed by another commuter.

To remove the blockade in the area, ASP Yazid Abubakar, who is a representative of Zamfara State Police Command, announced that more troops have been dispatched which comprise of members belonging to Nigerian Police Mobile Squad.

Armed gangs pose a significant threat to Zamfara State and other nearby areas in Northwestern and Central Nigeria, as they frequently carry out mass kidnappings for ransom while also attacking local communities.

These gangs have established extensive forest camps across Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Niger states. Lately, they focus on schools for carrying out large-scale kidnappings.