Crime & SecurityNewsNigeriaZamfara Family, Others Fights Off Kidnappers, Kills One

In a rare display of bravery, a family in Zamfara State, Nigeria, successfully thwarted a kidnapping attempt and killed one of the attackers.

The incident took place while the family, on their way to Kano, 311.95 kilometres from Zamfara, for wedding preparations, were ambushed by two gunmen along the Talata Mafara—Gusau highway.

The gunmen were “blocking the road and halting vehicles,” said an eyewitness to PRNigeria.

According to the report by PRNigeria, the bride-to-be’s family, along with other travellers on the bus, refused to be easy targets.

Realising the danger, they rallied together and fought back against the attackers as they were about to march to a surrounding bush with the bride-to-be, her parents and two other relatives.

In the ensuing struggle, the unarmed travellers managed to overpower one of the kidnappers and killed him. The remaining kidnapper fled the scene, abandoning his firearm.

In the words of the eyewitness, “Realising the grave danger they faced on forced abduction, the passengers decided to act swiftly. They rallied together and launched an attack on one of the two bandits. In a fierce struggle, they managed to overpower him, resulting in his instant death. The other bandit, however, escaped, leaving behind his firearm.”

They picked up the firearms and handed them over to the military at a nearby checkpoint. However, one of the travellers died as a result of a sudden heart attack due to the traumatic experience.

This incident highlights the persistent security challenges plaguing parts of Nigeria, particularly the northwest region where Zamfara is located. Kidnappings for ransom have become a major threat, disrupting lives and causing fear.

The act of bravery by the unarmed citizens demonstrates the growing boldness of Nigerian citizens against terrorists given the utter failure of the Nigerian authorities to protect lives and properties.