Gunmen open fire on Governor’s Chief of Staff, others

Alhaji Mouktar Lugga, Chief of Staff to Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Dauda Lawal, narrowly escaped death yesterday evening, Thursday, April 2, 2026, when gunmen suspected to be bandits opened fire on his convoy along the Funtua–Gusau highway.

A report by counter-terrorism expert Makama Zagazola said that the incident occurred at about 6:16 p.m. near Kucheri village while Lugga was returning to Gusau from an official engagement.

The report quoted sources as disclosing that the assailants emerged from both sides of the road and opened fire on the vehicle conveying the chief of staff, his driver and two other occupants.

A bullet reportedly pierced the vehicle’s windshield and narrowly missed the driver, while another attacker attempted to fire at close range but the weapon failed to discharge.

“Despite the attack, the driver managed to steer the vehicle out of the ambush, and all occupants escaped unhurt,” the report said.