Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed Islamic cleric Alhaji Zainu Mada in Gusau, Zamfara State, following the payment of a N2 million ransom. The cleric had been kidnapped along the Kotorkoshi–Mada Road several days ago, sparking fear and concern among residents.
According to local reports, in addition to the ransom, the bandits seized airtime worth N70,000 and two mobile phones from his family, intensifying the family’s grief. The attack has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the persistent threat of banditry in the region.
The chairman, accompanied by Ibrahim Liman, a lawmaker representing Gusau II Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, visited the bereaved family. During the visit, he expressed condolences, prayed for the cleric’s soul, and asked God to grant him Aljannah Firdaus. The community was urged to remain vigilant while the authorities continue investigations into the incident.
The funeral prayer for Alhaji Mada was held on Friday evening in his hometown, Mada, drawing hundreds of residents and sympathizers who came to pay their last respects. The tragedy underscores the dangers faced by residents in areas frequently targeted by armed bandits, who continue to exploit the town’s commercial activities.
Mada town and surrounding areas have long been hotspots of banditry, with repeated kidnappings, ransom demands, and killings leaving communities in fear. Residents report that over time, several individuals have lost their lives to such attacks, while millions of naira have been paid as ransom to secure the release of victims. The incident adds to the growing concerns over security challenges in Zamfara State, and the need for stronger law enforcement interventions to curb the menace of banditry.
