An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and security analyst, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has warned that travelling on roads across Zamfara State has become increasingly dangerous because of bandit attacks, kidnappings and killings.
Shinkafi, who is also seeking a senatorial seat, said insecurity had affected all 14 local government areas of the state, leaving residents and travellers exposed to attacks.
He cited a recent confrontation between angry residents and the convoy of the Zamfara deputy governor in Bukkuyum Local Government Area as a sign of growing frustration over the government's handling of insecurity.
According to him, residents reportedly blocked access roads and protested against the state government despite the presence of security personnel.
“That attack is a serious danger signal. It shows there is serious anger on the land,” he said.
Shinkafi identified several roads linking Gusau with Tsafe, Anka, Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi and Zurmi as dangerous for motorists. He also listed routes serving rural communities such as Bukkuyum, Gummi, Bagega, Nahuche and Mayanchi, claiming that banditry had disrupted movement and economic activities.
He further alleged that more than 10 security personnel were killed when bandits attacked an escort team accompanying travellers to a market days before the incident involving the deputy governor's convoy.
He said the attacks had made people afraid to visit markets, work on their farms or travel between communities.
Shinkafi also raised concerns about security in Gusau, the state capital, alleging that killings, abductions and ransom demands had become common.
“People are killed on a daily basis. People are kidnapped from their homes. Payment of ransom is persistent. They cannot go to their farms, they cannot go to market, and all the schools are closed,” he said.
Describing Gusau as a “supermarket for bandits,” the APC chieftain argued that the deployment of security personnel had not done enough to stop the attacks.
Although he praised security operatives working on the front lines, he said they faced challenges, including insufficient manpower, poor equipment, inadequate motivation and a lack of recognition.
He also questioned whether the money spent by the government on security was producing meaningful improvements in the lives of residents.
Shinkafi rejected negotiations with bandits and called for stronger military operations against armed groups, arguing that dialogue could encourage further criminal activities.
However, he said military action alone would not solve the problem, urging the government to address unemployment, poverty, drug abuse, weaknesses in the justice system, poor infrastructure, the spread of illegal small arms and the effects of climate change.
He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to send more troops to Zamfara and urged Governor Dauda Lawal to make restoring security a priority.
Shinkafi also warned that insecurity could become a major issue in the 2027 general elections, as voters assess the performance of political leaders.