Angry youths in Gwashi community, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Sunday chased away the state’s Deputy Governor, Mani Malam Mummuni.
Mummuni had visited the community to commiserate with residents over recent bandit attacks and offer support to affected families.
However, the visit descended into chaos as frustrated youths confronted the deputy governor and his entourage, expressing anger over persistent insecurity in Gwashi and neighbouring communities.
A video recorded at the scene showed tensions escalating, with security operatives attached to the deputy governor reportedly fleeing and abandoning their vehicle.
Gwashi and other communities in Bukkuyum have experienced repeated attacks, leaving residents exposed to security risks while travelling between villages and accessing local markets.
The incident occurred days after gunmen reportedly killed about 20 people in an ambush on traders travelling under military escort in the state.
The traders were said to have been travelling from Gwashi to Nasarawa Market in Bukkuyum Local Government Area on Saturday, 10 October, when armed men attacked them at about 2 pm.
Reports indicated that four soldiers, three police officers, one Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer and 12 civilians were killed, while 19 other people 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 spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the abduction, saying the victims, all imams, were intercepted by armed bandits.