Zamfara Tragedy: College Director Killed After Paying N25.7m, Motorcycles to Rescue Family from Bandits
The killing of Malam Bashar Sani, a senior administrator at the College of Education, Maru, by suspected bandits has once again exposed the grim reality of insecurity in parts of Northern Nigeria, where families that pay huge ransoms to rescue loved ones often remain trapped in a vicious cycle of abductions.
Investigations by PRNigeria revealed that the late Sani had paid not less than ₦25.7 million in ransom and other demands over the years to secure the release of family members kidnapped by bandits before he was eventually killed by the same criminal network.
Family members and community sources disclosed that the chain of attacks against the family began a few years ago when armed bandits abducted Sani’s two wives from their residence at Tsohon Tasha in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. In a desperate bid to secure their freedom, he reportedly paid ₦2 million to the kidnappers.
Months later, the criminals returned and kidnapped his younger brother, Hassan Sani, forcing the family into another round of negotiations.
Speaking to PRNigeria, Hassan Sani 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 facilitated and delivered,” Hassan told PRNigeria.
The repeated attacks left the family traumatised and forced Malam Bashar Sani to relocate his household to a more populated area in search of safety.
“My brother and his family moved to a house close to our relatives at Shiyyar ’Yan Hudu in Maru town, hoping he would be safe from these marauders, but unfortunately, he could not escape them,” Hassan said.
For about 18 months, the family enjoyed relative calm before the bandits traced their new location and struck again.
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During the raid, the attackers abducted Malam Bashar Sani, one of his wives who had previously been kidnapped, and his daughter, alongside several other residents of the neighbourhood.
Hassan disclosed that the bandits also killed the wife of a policeman and abducted her five children during the same attack.
The kidnappers demanded ₦20 million for the release of Sani and his family members.
According to the family, the ransom was eventually paid in full. In addition to the cash payment, the abductors also demanded motorcycles, airtime recharge cards worth ₦200,000, and four mobile phones, which were delivered to them.
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.
He added that after the additional motorcycles were handed over, the bandits asked the family to return home and wait for further communication regarding the release of the hostages.
“Unknown to us, my brother had already been killed at that time,” he said.
PRNigeria gathered that the kidnappers later directed the family to Gidan Kano village in Maradun Local Government Area to pick up their relatives.
Upon arrival, they found his wife, daughter and other freed hostages, but Malam Bashar Sani was missing.
“When we asked about him, his wife told us that he had already died while in captivity,” Hassan revealed.
Further investigations indicated that the late Sani died in the bandits’ camp after prolonged torture and serious medical complications, including an untreated fractured leg sustained during captivity.
Residents of Maru described the incident as a heartbreaking example of the insecurity plaguing rural communities across Zamfara State, where bandit groups continue to abduct victims for ransom with devastating consequences.
Community leaders said the late Sani was widely respected as an educator and administrator who dedicated his life to public service and the advancement of education in the region.
His death has renewed calls for stronger security interventions to protect vulnerable communities across Zamfara and other parts of Northern Nigeria battling banditry.
Friends, colleagues and community members have continued to mourn the late academic, offering prayers for the repose of his soul.
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah,” one mourner said.
By PRNigeria
