A tragic incident occurred in Zamfara State as bandits ambushed and killed eight members of the Community Protection Guards.
Naija News gathered the ambush took place at a checkpoint located a few kilometers from Tsafe town, which serves as the headquarters of the Tsafe Local Government Area.
The Community Protection Guards, also referred to as Askarawa, were established by Governor Dauda Lawal to enhance security efforts in the state.
The commander of the Community Protection Guards, Brigadier General Mohammed Lawal, spoke to Channels Television on Monday about the incident.
He explained that the personnel had been deployed to the area to combat the frequent abductions of travelers along the Gusau-Funtua Highway, a situation that had seen significant improvement since their assignment.
“When I got to know about the bandits’ route around that area which they used to kidnap travelers, I told the Governor and we deployed the CPGs to that side, armed with two Hilux vehicles; the area is covered by mountains,” Lawal stated.
He noted that the guards had been effectively patrolling the area for about two months, working from early morning until around 6:30 PM each day, which had contributed to a notable reduction in kidnappings in the region.
Unfortunately, the ambush occurred when bandits, who had infiltrated a nearby community, opened fire as the guards were dropping off personnel.
“The bandits slept in a community around the area. In the morning when the Hilux vehicle dropped the first set to our personnel and returned to pick others, the bandits who had already laid ambush opened fire on them and unfortunately, we lost eight of our men, and one traveler was also shot,” Lawal said.
Despite the setback, the commander reaffirmed the state government’s determination to eradicate security threats in Zamfara.
He indicated that they are strategizing to counter the bandits’ tactics, revealing plans to address a new route identified for kidnappings near Wanzamai.
“As they (bandits) are also planning, we are also planning because I just discovered another route where the bandits block the road to kidnap people around Wanzamai. We will not relent and Insha Allah we will flush them out of this state,” he said.
Governor Condemns Attack and Honours Fallen Guards
In the wake of the attack, Governor Dauda Lawal expressed his sorrow over the loss of the guards.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the governor condemned the ambush as a cowardly act by the fleeing bandits.
The governor said, “I received the unfortunate report of an ambush by bandits yesterday in Tsafe local government area, during which nine of our brave Community Protection Guards were killed.
“The Guards ambushed and killed are Nasiru Aliyu, Jabiru Hassan, Abdullahi Dangude, Bashar Bawa, Mu’azu Musa, Anas Dahiru, Anas Yakubu, Lawali Yunusa, and one other. The bandits’ ambush on our guards was a cowardly act, as they were dispersed and on the run due to sustained troop onslaught across the state.
“The troops will continue the renewed onslaught to defeat bandits in the state and the entire region. I want to take this opportunity to extend my condolences on behalf of the government and people of Zamfara State to the families and loved ones of our brave guards. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. I hope those injured recover at the earliest.
“My government is committed to providing all necessary support to the families of the frontline guards who lost their lives.”
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