Youths in Gwashi community, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Sunday reportedly chased away the state Deputy Governor, Mani Malam Mummuni, during a visit to commiserate with residents over recent bandit attacks.
Mummuni had visited the community to sympathise with victims of the attacks and offer support to affected families.
However, the visit reportedly turned chaotic as angry youths confronted the deputy governor and his entourage, expressing frustration over persistent insecurity in Gwashi and neighbouring communities.
A video from the scene showed heightened tension as security personnel attached to the deputy governor reportedly fled the area, leaving their vehicle behind.
The confrontation came amid growing concerns over repeated attacks on communities in Bukkuyum, where residents have faced security threats while travelling between villages and accessing local markets.
It also occurred days after gunmen reportedly killed about 20 people in an ambush on traders travelling under military escort in the state.
The traders were reportedly travelling from Gwashi to Nasarawa Market in Bukkuyum LGA on Saturday, October 10, when the attackers struck at about 2pm.
Four soldiers, three policemen, one Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officer and 12 civilians were reportedly killed, while 19 others sustained injuries.
In a separate incident about a month earlier, six Islamic clerics were abducted along the Dakko-Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area while travelling to Talata Mafara.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the abduction, saying the victims, all imams, were intercepted by armed bandits.
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