By Ammar Muhammad Rajab The proliferation of armed robberies on the Zaria to Kano road has left truck drivers struggling, with urgent calls...
The proliferation of armed robberies on the Zaria to Kano road has left truck drivers struggling, with urgent calls for security forces to end the menace.
Truck drivers in Nigeria report frequent armed robber activities on the Zaria-Kano road, where robbers often block the route. They added that in recent days and months, armed robberies at night have become common, especially at Kwanar Tsamiya.
Kamal Muhammad, a truck driver transporting consumer goods who often uses this road, told DAILY STRUGGLE newspaper, “On Wednesday, June 27, 2024, at exactly 1:00 am, they blocked the road. They set up a gate, piled stones, and wielded sticks and machetes, robbing people. Most of them came from nearby villages to gather and rob,” he said.
Muhammad continued, “Yesterday was tough, but they trapped some of our drivers. Days before, when trying to escape from them, they broke the windows of my truck,” he emphasized.
Abubakar Sani, another driver who frequently transports goods from Kano to Zaria, confirmed the situation to our correspondent. “Indeed, at Kwanar Tsamiya, before reaching Tashar Yari, armed robbers blocked the road to rob drivers and passengers. Sometimes they rob people at 9:00 pm,” he said.
The drivers have called on the security forces to ensure safety on the road before the situation escalates. “The Zaria to Kano road is a crucial link connecting Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno states. Authorities need to take immediate action to end this menace before the situation worsens,” said Abubakar Sani.
An eyewitness, who asked to remain anonymous, recounted an incident: “One day around 9:00 pm, I was returning from Kano to Zaria. A passenger wanted to get off at Kwanar Tsamiya. Our driver said if he had known, he wouldn't have picked him up from Kano. The driver refused to drop him off at the usual spot and went ahead to drop him off further along. The driver then told us that armed robberies occur there every night,” he said.
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