Updated: Two ex-Zamfara gov aspirants killed on Kaduna-Abuja road

An ex-governorship aspirant in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sagir Hamidu, has been shot dead by bandits.

He was reportedly killed on Sunday when bandits blocked the Kaduna-Abuja Highway and opened fire on travellers.

Daily Trust reported the incident occurred around 3:30pm close to Rijana along the busy highway.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that Rijana, a former FCT Director of Protocol who was also a Zamfara State governorship aspirant, lost his life in the incident.

A Facebook user, Kabeer Gambo Rigasa, wrote: “ALHAMDULILLAH, ALHAMDULILLAH, Escaped Being Kidnapped Along Abuja To Kaduna Road Around 3:30pm Today.”

Other eyewitnesses said the bandits had operated unchallenged for over an hour.

The reports also indicated that the Kaduna-Abuja highway dotted by numerous potholes had become a death trap for travellers, who were constantly attacked; killed and abducted.

It also observed however that activities of the bandits had been on the decline since a military operation began to flush out bandits in selected forest areas of the state some weeks ago.

A video released online on Sunday evening showed two empty vehicles which appeared to have been abandoned in the middle of the Highway.

An eyewitness travelling along the route had released the short video showing two abandoned vehicles indicating that the occupants had been abducted.

In the 31 second video, the person behind the camera could be heard shouting, “Oh my God, they have carried our friends, we are just coming from Kaduna. Today is 21st November 2021, oh my God, the Lord is faithful, thank you for saving our lives.”

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, did not respond to calls and a chat on the video over the incident.