Bandits Kill Zamfara Teacher After Collecting Ransom

Armed bandits have killed a teacher at Federal Government College, Anka in Zamfara State, Mustapha Yahaya Maru, despite his family paying a ransom for his release.

Maru was kidnapped in early May while travelling to Anka with other passengers after gunmen intercepted their vehicle. The kidnappers contacted his family and demanded a ransom far beyond their financial capacity.

After intense efforts and negotiations, the family managed to raise and pay the agreed amount in hopes of securing his freedom. However, instead of releasing him, the bandits killed him on Tuesday, throwing his family and the Maru community into deep mourning.

“I’m disappointed that the BMA have refused to consider further discussions about how to strengthen the deal on the table and have instead rushed once again to unnecessary and unreasonable strike action,” Murray stated.

The incident has renewed concerns over the worsening insecurity in Zamfara State and other parts of northern Nigeria where armed groups continue to carry out attacks, kidnappings, and killings. Residents and education stakeholders have expressed fear and frustration over repeated attacks targeting teachers and rural communities.

This latest killing follows a similar tragic case in March when bandits killed Malam Bashar Sani, a senior administrator at the College of Education, Maru, after his family paid over N25 million in ransom over several years. Sani was killed after prolonged torture and an untreated fractured leg sustained during captivity.

Local authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding Maru’s killing, as calls grow for stronger security interventions to protect vulnerable communities across Zamfara State.