{
  "id": 15761206,
  "title": "Zamfara roads have become death traps - APC chieftain warns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/zamfara-roads-have-become-death-traps-apc-chieftain-warns",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T14:17:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/20/zamfara-roads-have-become-death-traps-apc-chieftain-warns/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, an All Progressives Congress chieftain and security analyst, has warned that traveling on roads across Zamfara State has become perilous due to bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings. The APC aspirant for a senatorial seat stated that insecurity has impacted all 14 local government areas in the state, leaving residents and travelers vulnerable to attacks. A recent incident involving a confrontation between angry residents and the Zamfara deputy governor's convoy in Bukkuyum Local Government Area exemplifies the growing public frustration over the government's handling of the security situation.\n\nShinkafi identified several roads connecting Gusau with Tsafe, Anka, Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, and Zurmi as hazardous for motorists, and highlighted routes serving rural communities like Bukkuyum, Gummi, Bagega, Nahuche, and Mayanchi, stating that banditry has disrupted movement and economic activities. He alleged that over ten security personnel were killed when bandits ambushed an escort team transporting travelers to a market days before the deputy governor's convoy incident.\n\nConcerns were raised about the security situation in the state capital, Gusau, where killings, kidnappings, and ransom demands have become commonplace. Shinkafi described Gusau as a \"supermarket for bandits,\" suggesting that the deployment of security personnel has not been adequate to prevent attacks. While acknowledging the efforts of security operatives, he pointed out challenges they face, including insufficient manpower, inadequate equipment, poor motivation, and lack of recognition.\n\nShinkafi also criticized the government's spending on security and questioned whether it has led to meaningful improvements in residents' lives. He rejected negotiations with bandits and advocated for stronger military operations against armed groups, asserting that dialogue could potentially fuel further criminal activities. However, he emphasized that military action alone would not resolve the issue, urging the government to tackle unemployment, poverty, drug abuse, weaknesses in the justice system, poor infrastructure, the spread of illegal small arms, and the impact of climate change.\n\nHe called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deploy more troops to Zamfara and urged Governor Dauda Lawal to prioritize restoring security. Shinkafi warned that insecurity could become a significant issue in the 2027 general elections as voters evaluate the performance of political leaders.",
  "summary": "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 […] Zamfara roads…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}