A teacher at Federal Government College, Anka, Mustapha Yahaya Maru, has reportedly been killed by armed bandits despite the payment of ransom for his release.
Maru was abducted earlier in May while travelling to Anka in Zamfara State alongside several other passengers after their vehicle was intercepted by the attackers. Following the abduction, the kidnappers contacted his family and demanded a ransom far beyond their financial capacity.
After intense efforts and negotiations, the family eventually raised and paid the agreed amount in hopes of securing his freedom.
Tragically, however, the bandits killed Maru on Tuesday instead of releasing him.
His death has thrown his family and the Maru community into mourning and has further heightened concerns over the worsening insecurity in the region.
Zamfara State and several other parts of the country have continued to witness recurring attacks by armed bandits.
In one such incident, bandits on Monday, May 18, reportedly killed a driver, abducted two local government officials, and injured another person during an attack along Tashar Lawali Road in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, according to security analyst Zagazola Makama.
The attack reportedly occurred around 11:20 a.m. when heavily armed assailants blocked the road near Jangebe District and opened fire on motorists and commuters traveling through the area.
Sources said the attackers specifically targeted a vehicle conveying local government officials before abducting two of the occupants into the bush.
The victims were identified as Jamilu Sani, Director of Planning in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, and Muslimu Habibu, a councillor representing Jangebe Ward.
Another victim, Samaila Ladan, a registration officer attached to the Hajj Affairs Unit of the local government council, reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to his right hand during the attack.
The vehicle driver, identified as Lawali Hakimi, was said to have been shot dead at the scene by the assailants.
