Fresh concerns over insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West have emerged following the abduction of two staff members of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital along the notorious Maru–Talata Mafara highway in Zamfara State.
The victims, identified as Abdullahi and Rufae, were reportedly kidnapped by suspected armed bandits while travelling from Abuja to Sokoto after attending a union meeting.
Sources close to the families said the incident occurred along the troubled Maru axis, an area frequently linked to kidnappings, ambushes and attacks on travellers in Zamfara State.
According to relatives and associates of the victims, the abductors have already established contact with the families and are demanding N10 million each for their release.
“The kidnappers reached out to the families and demanded N10 million from each side. The situation has thrown the families into deep distress, and they are appealing to security agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene urgently,” a source familiar with the incident disclosed.
The abduction has triggered anxiety among workers at the teaching hospital and residents of Sokoto State, many of whom described the incident as another sign of worsening insecurity on highways across the North-West region.
The Maru–Talata Mafara route has remained one of the major hotspots for armed bandit attacks despite ongoing military operations and security deployments aimed at restoring order in Zamfara and neighbouring states.
Transport operators and commuters have repeatedly complained about persistent attacks and mass abductions along the corridor, with many travellers forced to move in convoys or under security escort.
Colleagues of the abducted health workers described the incident as tragic, noting that the victims were returning from an official engagement related to workers’ welfare when they were intercepted by gunmen.
“It is heartbreaking because these are dedicated health personnel committed to saving lives. They were simply returning home after a legitimate assignment when they were abducted by criminals,” an associate of the victims said.
When contacted, Mansur Wadata confirmed the abduction but declined to provide additional details, citing ongoing discussions involving the families, hospital management and the abductors.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not issued any official statement regarding the incident.
The latest abduction adds to growing pressure on authorities to address persistent banditry and kidnapping activities across Nigeria’s North-West, where residents continue to face increasing security threats despite repeated military offensives.
