NDLEA Operatives Foil Armed Robbery Attempt on Kaduna-Zaria Highway
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed that its operatives thwarted an armed robbery attempt along the Kaduna-Zaria highway, preventing what could have been a serious incident for travellers using the busy route.
Sani Garba, the Command Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna on Thursday. According to him, the incident took place at about 3 a.m. on Sunday near the agency’s checkpoint close to Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria.
Garba explained that the operatives sprang into action after one of the motorists caught in the robbery attempt managed to escape and raised the alarm. The fleeing victim alerted NDLEA personnel stationed nearby, setting off a rapid response.
“Some armed robbers had blocked the highway when one of their victims managed to escape and alerted our men stationed nearby,” Garba said. “Our operatives immediately moved to the scene and engaged the suspects in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the operation and flee.”
He noted that the swift intervention prevented the suspected robbers from abducting motorists and other road users, and no abduction was recorded during the encounter.
Abandoned Vehicles and Debris Left Behind
A video that circulated on social media after the incident showed several vehicles, including articulated trucks, abandoned along the highway in the aftermath of the confrontation. Some of the trucks were seen with their engines still running, while their drivers and other occupants were apparently absent.
The footage also showed NDLEA operatives inspecting the vehicles and documenting the scene. In the video, an officer speaking in Hausa said the suspected robbers fled upon sighting the approaching NDLEA personnel. Another officer was heard directing colleagues to gather abandoned belongings and convey them in a truck for recovery.
Assurance to Motorists and Call for Vigilance
Garba assured motorists of the command’s commitment to supporting other security agencies in protecting lives and property. He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies, and he called on motorists to cooperate with security personnel to improve safety along the highway.
A senior operative of the Kaduna Vigilance Service, who spoke to NAN in Zaria on condition of anonymity, also confirmed that nobody was kidnapped during the incident. He said the occupants of the abandoned vehicles had returned and continued their journeys after security operatives intervened.
The official added that the service had repelled more than five separate attacks at the same location along the highway in October, preventing suspected criminals from carrying out their operations.
A Highway With a Troubled History
The Kaduna-Zaria highway has recorded previous attacks by armed groups, including incidents of kidnapping and killings of travellers. In December 2021, gunmen reportedly blocked the highway and abducted more than 30 commuters near Zaria. In June of the same year, bandits fleeing a military operation reportedly killed three people, including a traveller, in Dunki village along the route.
In August 2022, however, the Kaduna State Government dismissed reports of bandits operating along the Kaduna-Zaria highway, describing the claims as an attempt to create panic and assuring travellers that the road was safe.
The latest intervention by NDLEA operatives highlights the role of security personnel stationed along major highways in deterring criminal activity and protecting travellers, while also underscoring the need for continued cooperation between motorists and security agencies.
