The killing of a senior administrator at the College of Education Maru, Malam Bashar Sani, by suspected bandits has once again highlighted the worsening insecurity in rural communities in Zamfara State, where families often pay huge ransoms yet still lose their loved ones.
Investigations revealed that the late Sani had paid about ₦25.7 million in ransom and other demands over the years to secure the release of family members abducted by bandits before he was eventually killed by the same criminal network.
Family members and community sources said the ordeal began several years ago when armed bandits abducted Sani’s two wives from their home in Tsohon Tasha, in Maru Local Government Area. In a desperate attempt to secure their freedom, he reportedly paid ₦2 million to the kidnappers.
Months later, the bandits returned and kidnapped his younger brother, Hassan Sani, forcing the family into another round of negotiations. Hassan confirmed that his brother paid ₦3.5 million to secure his release.
“In addition to the ₦3.5 million he paid for my freedom, the kidnappers also demanded airtime recharge cards and mobile phones, which he also provided,” Hassan said.
Following the repeated attacks, the family relocated to Shiyyar ’Yan Hudu area of Maru town, hoping the move would provide some safety. For about 18 months, they lived without incident until the bandits traced their new location and struck again.
During the attack, the gunmen abducted Bashar Sani, one of his wives who had previously been kidnapped, and his daughter, along with several other residents in the neighbourhood. The attackers also reportedly killed the wife of a policeman and abducted her five children during the same raid.
The kidnappers later demanded ₦20 million for the release of Sani and his family members. According to relatives, the ransom was paid in full. In addition to the cash, the abductors demanded motorcycles, airtime recharge cards worth ₦200,000, and four mobile phones, all of which were delivered.
However, the criminals continued to escalate their demands.
“They later demanded 15 motorcycles, but after negotiations they reduced it to three motorcycles, which we also bought and delivered to them,” Hassan said.
After receiving the motorcycles, the bandits instructed the family to return home and await further communication about the hostages’ release.
Unknown to the family at the time, Bashar Sani had already been killed.
The kidnappers later directed relatives to Gidan Kano village in Maradun Local Government Area to collect the released hostages. Upon arrival, they found his wife, daughter, and other captives, but Sani was missing.
“When we asked about him, his wife told us that he had already died while in captivity,” Hassan said.
Further findings indicated that Sani died in the bandits’ camp after enduring prolonged torture and medical complications, including an untreated fractured leg sustained during captivity.
Residents of Maru described the incident as a tragic reflection of the security crisis affecting communities across Zamfara, where bandit groups continue to carry out kidnappings for ransom.
Community leaders said the late Sani was widely respected as an educator and administrator who devoted his life to public service and the advancement of education in the region.
His death has renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect rural communities across Zamfara and other parts of northern Nigeria affected by banditry.
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