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

Anambra Arraigns Eight Pastors for Violating Homeland Security Law 2025

AWKA, Nigeria – The Anambra State Government on Friday, June 5, 2026, arraigned eight pastors before a High Court sitting in Awka, the state capital, for alleged violations of the state’s Homeland Security Law, 2025. The pastors, who were arrested in Onitsha, Awka and other parts of the state, were brought before the court by operatives of the state security outfit, Agunechemba, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Ken Emeakayi. The eight pastors arraigned are Peter Chukwu, Chinedu Egwuonwu, Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, Ebele Nnachukwu, Ekeleme Chris Ugochukwu, Ndubisi Nnachukwu, Miracle Iruoma and Chukwukadibia Ogwuama. The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, is personally leading the prosecution of the suspects. Proceedings had commenced as of the time of filing this report.

The Anambra State Homeland Security Law was passed in February 2025 and signed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to combat rising insecurity across the state. The law established the Agunechemba security outfit, a community-based security structure operating at state, local government, and community levels across the 179 communities in Anambra. The outfit was launched with 2,000 personnel and 200 operational vehicles to strengthen grassroots policing and crime-fighting efforts. The law specifically frowns upon certain forms of religious practices deemed inimical to the public, particularly those relating to illegal wealth creation and get-rich-quick rituals. According to the state government, the crackdown targets individuals who operate under the guise of religion to exploit the public and empower criminal networks across the state. The government has identified certain religious figures—fake pastors, native doctors (dibias), and juju priests—as key enablers of criminality.

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The arraignment of the eight pastors is part of a wider state-wide crackdown on fake pastors, native doctors, and spiritualists engaged in questionable practices. This follows similar arrests and prosecutions last year of native doctors who were promoting get-rich-quick practices (Okeite rituals), with some already serving jail terms while others are currently undergoing trials. Ejimofor Opara, Media Adviser to Governor Soludo, confirmed the development and described the clerics as “fake pastors” who violated provisions of the recently enacted security law. The government has also shut down churches involved in controversial Oke-ite rituals. The Children of the Light Anointing Ministry, run by Pastor Onyebuchi Okocha (Onye Eze Jesus) in Nkpor, was sealed by Agunechemba operatives, who found substances, including containers with suspected ritual items, at the premises.

Speaking recently at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, during the All Knights Day of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Governor Soludo explained the rationale behind the crackdown, stating that it targets social reformation and protecting vulnerable residents from religious exploitation. “The state has commenced an ongoing crackdown on fake pastors who exploit the vulnerable by preaching the gospel of salvation without the cross. As I speak now, several of them are already in custody and confessing,” Soludo said. The governor emphasized that the action forms part of the mission to build a new Anambra free from deception and social vices, adding: “A new Anambra is in the offing, which must be clean and clear of such deception. We are reinforcing the church’s teaching that hard work pays and not the other way round.”

The Agunechemba security outfit was established following an upsurge in crimes like kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, touting, and criminal idolatry that had given rise to a culture celebrating wealth without enterprise. Before the state’s intervention, kidnapping had reached an alarming level in Anambra. According to a report by SBM Intelligence, Anambra ranked highest in ransom payments among 27 Nigerian states between July 2023 and July 2024, with a staggering N350 million paid to kidnappers. As part of the crackdown, the state government has arrested no fewer than 30 native doctors, including some fake pastors and notable figures said to be preparing charms for criminals. Among the notable native doctors arrested were Chidozie Nwangwu (widely known as ‘Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki’) and Eke Hit. Governor Soludo has defended the security measures, stating that there is a strong link between drug use, ritual practices, and crime in the state. According to him, one of the recently arrested native doctors was responsible for preparing anti-gunshot charms for criminals. “They (native doctors) are at the root of insecurity in our society today. They make people believe they can obtain power and success through charms without hard work. They have ruined many young lives,” Soludo said.

The eight pastors remain in custody as the state government continues its prosecution. The Attorney General’s personal handling of the case underscores the importance the Soludo administration places on enforcing the Homeland Security Law. The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that anyone who violates the state’s security laws, particularly under the guise of religious practice, will face the full weight of the law. The crackdown has significantly reduced criminal activities in the state, with cases of kidnapping and other crimes—which were previously on the rise—beginning to decline.

Anambra Arraigns Eight Pastors for Violating Homeland Security Law 2025

49 Die of Thirst in Niger’s Sahara Desert After Truck Breakdown

AGADEZ, Niger – At least 49 people have died of thirst in a remote part of the Sahara Desert in northern Niger after the truck transporting them broke down, authorities confirmed on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The victims, all Nigerien nationals, were returning from Mali where they had attended a Muslim religious festival and were heading home to celebrate with their families. Officials in Agadez said the travellers reportedly exhausted their water supply after becoming stranded in the desert for several days. The incident occurred more than 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Assamaka, a major border crossing point between Niger and Algeria, near the tri-border area where Niger, Mali, and Algeria meet. The vehicle had departed from the Malian town of Telhandek, located approximately 300 kilometers (187 miles) from the Nigerien border.

The Agadez Region Governorate, which announced the disaster in a statement on its Facebook page, explained that the truck had been traveling for several days through the desert before it broke down. According to reports, the driver may have veered away from the intended route before the vehicle became incapacitated. For several days, the driver, his apprentice, and the passengers made repeated attempts to repair the vehicle, but their efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful. “Deprived of water and unable to repair the vehicle despite the efforts of the driver, his apprentice and passengers, travellers found themselves trapped in the heart of a hostile environment where extreme temperatures and the absence of supply points make survival extremely difficult,” the governorate said. The remote location, characterized by extreme heat and a complete lack of water sources, made any hope of rescue nearly impossible. With an estimated area of 8.6 million square kilometers, the Sahara Desert is considered the hottest desert in the world and one of the most perilous for migrants.

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Only two people survived the ordeal. According to authorities, the two men, named by local media as Mohamed Bachir Souley and Issa Omar, managed to trek more than 50 kilometers (31 miles) on foot across the scorching desert to reach a water source, then continued to the locality of Assamaka, where they raised the alarm. When a delegation sent by Agadez Region Governor General Ibra Boulama Issa finally reached the scene, they found a deeply disturbing sight. “On the spot, the findings were particularly disturbing. Dozens of lifeless bodies were found under the immobile truck and in its surroundings,” the Agadez governorate said. Photographs published by the governorate showed bodies lying in the desert sand with pieces of clothing and other belongings scattered around. The 49 victims were buried in mass graves at the scene in what officials described as a “particularly delicate and emotionally exhausting task” carried out by survivors and rescue workers.

While returning from the scene, the rescue team encountered another broken-down truck carrying more than 60 passengers. This second vehicle had set off from the Malian town of Harouba, more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the Niger border, and had been stranded for three days without water after suffering a battery failure. According to the Agadez municipal government, the rescue team, which included Nigerien troops, distributed water to the “exhausted and distressed travellers” and helped repair the vehicle, allowing them to safely resume their journey. The Agadez governor noted that this second rescue operation “narrowly avoided another tragedy” as the team had taken an alternative route back to Assamaka.

The desert zone in Niger remains a major transit corridor for migrants from across West Africa attempting to reach North Africa and ultimately Europe. Despite repeated tragedies and constant risks—including vehicle breakdowns, abandonment by smugglers, lack of water, and extreme climate conditions—thousands continue to attempt the crossing each year. According to the collective of associations “Alarme Phone Sahara,” which advocates for people on the move in the Sahel-Sahara region, at least 35 migrants lost their lives in the Sahara desert throughout 2025 alone. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that more than 7,000 people have died or been reported missing attempting to cross the Sahara, in many cases with the intention of reaching North African countries before attempting the Mediterranean crossing to Europe. Many Nigeriens travel to Mali to work in artisanal gold mining sites in towns like Harouba, risking the dangerous desert journey to earn a living.

The Agadez Region Governorate has deployed investigators to the scene to determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy. In a statement, the governor highlighted that this disaster underscores the “vulnerability of young people engaged in migratory and cross-border economic activities, often forced to pass through unstable areas in order to survive or seek better living conditions.” The Agadez region, often called the “gateway to the Sahara,” remains a perilous crossing point. “We must emphasize that the route is dangerous,” the Agadez authorities said. “Vulnerable young people are often forced to traverse unsafe areas to survive or seek better living conditions.”

49 Die of Thirst in Niger’s Sahara Desert After Truck Breakdown