Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have foiled an armed robbery attempt along the Kaduna-Zaria highway.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the Command’s spokesman, Sani Garba, in Kaduna on Thursday explained that the incident took place at about 3am on Sunday near the agency’s checkpoint close to Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria.
Garba said, “Operatives were alerted after one of the motorists reportedly escaped from the suspected robbers and raised the alarm.”
He stated that some armed robbers had blocked the highway when one of their victims managed to escape and alerted their men stationed nearby, stressing that their operatives immediately moved to the scene and engaged the suspects in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the operation and flee.
He said the intervention prevented the suspected robbers from abducting motorists and other road users, as no abduction was recorded.
A video circulating on social media showed several vehicles, including articulated trucks, abandoned along the highway after the encounter.
Some of the trucks were seen with their engines running, while their drivers and other occupants were apparently absent.
The footage also showed NDLEA operatives inspecting the vehicles and documenting the aftermath of the incident.
An officer speaking in Hausa in the video said the suspected robbers fled upon sighting the approaching NDLEA personnel, pointing out that another officer was heard directing colleagues to gather abandoned belongings and convey them in a truck for recovery.
Garba assured motorists of the command’s commitment to supporting other security agencies in protecting lives and property, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
He also called on motorists to cooperate with security personnel to improve safety along the highway for people to go about their normal businesses.
Also speaking on the incident, a senior operative of the Kaduna Vigilance Service, who spoke to NAN in Zaria on condition of anonymity, explained that nobody was kidnapped during the incident.
He stated that occupants of the abandoned vehicles had returned and continued their journeys after security operatives intervened, adding 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.
The Kaduna-Zaria highway has recorded previous attacks by armed groups, including incidents of kidnapping and killing of travellers.