Bandits Collect N3m, Smartphone, Clothes Before Announcing Zamfara Teacher’s Death

The family of a teacher at the Federal Government College (FGC), Anka, Zamfara State, has narrated how bandits allegedly collected a N3 million ransom, a smartphone and the victim’s clothes before informing them that he had been killed in captivity.

The victim, Mallam Mustapha Yahaya Maru, a Civic Education teacher at FGC Anka, was abducted on May 4 while travelling from Maru town to Anka alongside a newly admitted student, Summayah Abubakar, and other passengers.

The tragic incident, which also claimed the life of the student, has once again drawn attention to the worsening banditry in Zamfara State and the growing trend of kidnapping victims being killed despite ransom payments.

According to family members and colleagues, heavily armed bandits ambushed the commercial vehicle conveying the passengers along the Maru-Anka road and opened fire indiscriminately.

One of the bullets reportedly struck Summayah in the head, while the driver sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the neck.

The attackers then whisked away several passengers, including Mallam Maru, into the forest.

Although the student was rushed to General Hospital, Anka, and later referred to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, she died the following day due to the severity of her injuries. The driver is said to be receiving treatment.

A close friend and colleague of the deceased, Mallam Nura Hassan, said the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million and five motorcycles for Maru’s release.

According to him, the family pleaded with the abductors, explaining that they could not raise such an amount.

After several days of negotiations, the bandits reportedly reduced their demand to N3 million.

Hassan said the family was surprised by the sudden reduction and became worried about Maru’s condition.

“We wondered whether he was still alive because the kidnappers stopped allowing us to speak with him. We only heard his voice during the first few days after the abduction,” he said.

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The family eventually raised N1.8 million and informed the kidnappers that another N1 million was in the bank account of Maru’s wife.

However, the abductors reportedly claimed they had already taken possession of all his ATM cards and insisted that the family complete the payment.

As negotiations continued, the bandits allegedly dropped their earlier demand for motorcycles and instead requested a smartphone with three cameras.

They also demanded one of Maru’s best clothes.

According to Hassan, the family delivered the cash, phone and clothes through intermediaries who had contacts with individuals linked to the criminal groups operating in the area.

The intermediaries reportedly charged additional fees to facilitate the delivery.

After receiving the items, the kidnappers claimed the family had failed to meet an earlier deadline and demanded an additional N1.3 million.

The family complied, bringing the total amount paid to more than N3 million.

After receiving the final payment, the kidnappers allegedly informed the family that Maru had already been killed.

According to Hassan, the bandits claimed that Maru and two other captives attempted to escape during a rainstorm while being guarded by younger members of the gang.

The kidnappers said their guards pursued the fleeing captives and opened fire on them.

“They only gave us that explanation after collecting the money. That made us believe he had already been killed before they demanded the balance,” Hassan said.

The family said they have not been able to recover Maru’s body for burial.

The killing has thrown Maru community and the FGC Anka school community into mourning.

Colleagues described the deceased teacher as hardworking, peaceful and dedicated to the welfare of students.

The Head of Science Department at FGC Anka, Hajiya Maryam Gusau, said Maru was widely respected by both staff and students.

“I never saw him quarrel with anyone during the years he worked in the school. He was a man of the people and deeply committed to his work,” she said.

She also renewed calls for the relocation of the school from Anka to a safer location, citing the persistent security threats along access roads.

According to her, travelling to Anka has become increasingly dangerous due to repeated attacks by armed groups.

The incident highlights the continuing security challenges facing communities across Zamfara State, where kidnappings, killings and extortion by armed groups remain widespread despite ongoing military operations.

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Residents say several communities in Maru, Anka and neighbouring local government areas have suffered repeated attacks over the years, forcing many families to flee their homes.

Mallam Kabiru Maru, the deceased teacher’s brother, said residents now live in constant fear.

“We do not sleep peacefully anymore. The bandits attack villages, abduct people and demand huge ransoms. Many people have relocated because they can no longer cope with the insecurity,” he said.

He appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to dismantle bandit camps and restore security across the state.

Security experts have repeatedly warned that the increasing trend of victims being killed after ransom payments reflects the growing audacity of criminal groups operating across Nigeria’s North-West. In several recent cases, families reportedly paid huge sums in ransom only to receive news that their loved ones had either been killed or remained in captivity.

The Zamfara State Police Command said it was not officially informed about the abduction.

Police spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, stated that security agencies usually respond to kidnapping incidents when they are promptly reported.

He reiterated the command’s position against ransom payments, warning that such payments often embolden criminal groups and encourage further kidnappings.

Meanwhile, local authorities said security measures have been strengthened along some major roads in the area, including increased patrols and the clearing of vegetation that could serve as cover for attackers.

The Chairman of Anka Local Government Area, Hon. Bashar Musa Anka, disclosed that the council had deployed security patrols along vulnerable routes after receiving reports of repeated attacks.

According to him, armoured patrol vehicles now conduct regular surveillance operations along critical road corridors to improve security and reassure travellers.

Despite these efforts, residents insist that more needs to be done to address the insecurity threatening lives, education and economic activities across the state.

For the family of Mallam Mustapha Maru, the loss remains devastating.

After weeks of negotiations, raising money and meeting every demand made by the kidnappers, they were left with the heartbreaking news that their loved one had been killed.

The tragedy underscores the growing dangers of kidnapping for ransom, the escalating security crisis in Zamfara, and the devastating impact of bandit attacks in North-West Nigeria.

For many residents, it is another painful reminder that paying ransom no longer guarantees the safety or release of victims.

Bandits Collect N3m, Smartphone, Clothes Before Announcing Zamfara Teacher’s Death