The Chief of Staff to the Zamfara State Government House, Moukhtar Lugga, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Thursday evening after unidentified gunmen opened fire on his convoy along the Funtua–Gusau road.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:16 pm near the Kucheri axis, a notorious flashpoint for banditry in the Tsafe Local Government Area. Armed assailants reportedly emerged from the surrounding foliage and launched a coordinated assault, targeting Lugga’s vehicle from multiple directions with high-calibre weapons.
According to preliminary reports from local sources and a regional radio station, the attackers attempted to surround the vehicle during the ambush. Despite the intensity of the gunfire, which left at least one visible bullet hole in the front windscreen of the official vehicle, neither the Chief of Staff nor his driver sustained any injuries.
Sources close to the official confirmed that the driver maintained composure under fire, successfully maneuvering the vehicle through the ambush zone and out of the reach of the assailants. The party eventually reached a secure location unharmed.
As of Friday morning, security agencies in Zamfara State, including the State Police Command and the military’s Operation Fansan Yamma, have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the identities of the attackers or any arrests made in connection with the incident.
The Funtua–Gusau highway has remained a significant security concern for the Zamfara State government. Only recently, in February 2026, the same stretch of road was subject to disruptions following the detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) targeting commuters and security patrols.
The ambush on such a high-ranking state official underscores the persistent volatility of the North-West region. Governor Dauda Lawal has previously convened several emergency security council meetings to address the rising trend of highway banditry and the placement of explosives on key transit routes. In March, the state government intensified its security architecture by deploying surveillance drones and providing additional operational vehicles to the Community Protection Guards to assist federal forces.+1
The attack on Lugga follows a series of recent skirmishes between security forces and bandit groups in the Tsafe and Bukkuyum areas, where dozens of casualties have been recorded in the past two months. Security analysts suggest that the targeting of government officials may indicate a shift in the tactics employed by armed groups operating within the Babban Rafi forest axis.
Following the escape, there has been an increased presence of security personnel along the Kucheri-Danjibga corridor. Motorists plying the route have been advised to remain vigilant as clearance operations continue in the nearby forests to flush out the remnants of the criminal elements responsible for the evening’s assault.
Further developments are expected as the Zamfara State Government is anticipated to provide a comprehensive briefing on the security breach and the subsequent measures taken to safeguard state officials and ordinary citizens using the interstate highway.
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