The family of a teacher at Federal Government College, Anka, Zamfara State, Mallam Mustapha Maru, has alleged that bandits killed him after collecting over N3 million in ransom, a smartphone and personal belongings during negotiations for his release.
Maru, a Civic Education teacher, was abducted on May 4 while returning to the school from his hometown in Maru Local Government Area after spending the weekend with his family.
He was reportedly travelling with a newly admitted Senior Secondary School student, Summayah Abubakar, when armed bandits ambushed their vehicle along the Anka road, opening fire on passengers.
The attack turned tragic as a bullet struck the student in the head, while the driver sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the neck.
Witnesses said the assailants subsequently whisked Maru and several other passengers into the forest and demanded a ransom of N50 million and five motorcycles from his family.
A colleague of the deceased, Mallam Nura Hassan, told Saturday Tribune that the family pleaded with the kidnappers, insisting they could not afford the amount demanded.
According to him, the bandits later reduced the ransom to N3 million, raising hopes that the teacher would regain his freedom.
Hassan said the family struggled to raise the money and maintained contact with the kidnappers throughout the negotiations.
However, concerns grew after the abductors stopped allowing them to speak with Maru.
He alleged that the kidnappers eventually accepted N1.8 million, a smartphone and one of the teacher’s best outfits before later demanding an additional N1.3 million, bringing the total payment to over N3 million.
“After collecting the balance, they informed us that Mustapha had been killed after allegedly attempting to escape alongside two other captives,” Hassan was quoted as saying.
The family, however, believes the teacher may have been murdered before the final payment was made.
The incident has thrown Maru community into mourning, with residents expressing outrage over the worsening insecurity in the area.
The tragedy was compounded by the death of the student, Summayah, who reportedly succumbed to her injuries at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, a day after the attack.
Maru’s brother, Kabiru, lamented that the family had been denied the opportunity to recover his remains for burial.
He urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to dismantle bandit camps operating across Zamfara and neighbouring states.
“We no longer sleep peacefully in our communities.
The bandits attack villages repeatedly, abduct residents and extort families. People are living in constant fear,” he said.
Also reacting, the Head of Science Department at Federal Government College, Anka, Hajiya Maryam Gusau, described the deceased as a dedicated and peace-loving teacher who was admired by colleagues and students alike.
She called for urgent measures to improve security around the school and along major routes leading to the community.
Confirming awareness of the incident, the Chairman of Anka Local Government Area, Bashar Musa Anka, said security measures had since been strengthened along the affected road corridor, including the deployment of patrol teams and armoured vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Police Command said it did not receive any formal report about the abduction, stressing that prompt reporting of such incidents would enhance rescue efforts and security response.
The latest killing has again highlighted the persistent security challenges facing communities in Zamfara State, where residents continue to grapple with recurring attacks, kidnappings and armed violence.