Narrow Escape: Bandits Ambush Zamfara Governor’s Chief of Staff on Funtua-Gusau Highway

By Tgnews Reporter

Gunmen suspected to be bandits opened fire on the convoy of Alhaji Mouktar Lugga, Chief of Staff to Zamfara State Governor, in a daring roadside ambush on Thursday evening.

The attack occurred at about 6:16 p.m. near Kucheri village along the Funtua–Gusau highway as Lugga was returning to Gusau from an official engagement.

Sources said the assailants suddenly emerged from both sides of the road and rained bullets on the vehicle carrying the Chief of Staff, his driver and two other occupants.

A bullet pierced the vehicle’s windshield and narrowly missed the driver, while another attacker attempted a point-blank shot that failed when his weapon malfunctioned.

Despite the intense gunfire, the driver skilfully manoeuvred the vehicle out of the ambush zone, allowing all four occupants to escape unhurt.

Security sources confirmed that no one was injured in the incident, which has heightened fears over the safety of top government officials on major highways in the state.

The attack comes amid ongoing security challenges in Zamfara, where banditry and kidnapping have remained a major concern despite repeated government and military operations in the region.

As at press time, no arrests have been reported, and security agencies are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.