Family members have recounted the tragic story of Bashar Sani, an esteemed administrator at the College of Education Maru in Zamfara State, who was slain by suspected bandits shortly after a ransom was paid.
Investigations conducted by PRNigeria have unveiled that the late Sani had previously disbursed no less than N25.7 million in ransom and other extortion payments over the years to ensure the safe return of family members kidnapped by bandits, only to become a victim himself at the hands of the same criminal elements.
Relatives and sources within the community indicated that the family's ordeal began a few years back when armed bandits abducted two of Mr. Sani’s wives from their home in Tsohon Tasha, located in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
In a desperate attempt to secure their release, he reportedly paid a ransom of N2 million to the kidnappers.
Months later, the gang struck again, kidnapping his younger brother, Hassan Sani, which led the family into yet another round of negotiations.
Hassan Sani confirmed to reporters that their brother had paid N3.5 million for his release. He also mentioned that the kidnappers had demanded additional items such as airtime recharge cards and mobile phones, which were also procured and delivered by Sani.
These persistent attacks resulted in severe trauma for the family and led Bashar Sani to relocate them to a more populated area in search of safety.
“My brother and his family moved to a place near our relatives in Shiyyar ’Yan Hudu in Maru town, hoping for safety from these attackers, yet fate had other plans,” Hassan shared.
For around 18 months, peace prevailed, but eventually, the bandits managed to locate them once again and launched another assault.
During this attack, they abducted Bashar Sani, one of his wives who had previously been taken hostage, and his daughter, along with several other residents from the area.
Hassan revealed that the bandits also killed a police officer’s wife and seized her five children in the same operation.
The kidnappers initially demanded N20 million for the release of Sani and the other captives.
According to family sources, the full ransom was paid, which included cash as well as requests for motorcycles, airtime worth N200,000, and four mobile phones, all of which were handed over.
Despite this, the criminals escalated their demands, eventually requiring 15 motorcycles; however, after negotiations, this number was reduced to three, which the family acquired and delivered.
Following the provision of the motorcycles, the kidnappers instructed the family to return home and wait for further instructions regarding the hostages.
“Unbeknownst to us, my brother had already been killed by that point,” he revealed.
Reports indicate that the kidnappers later directed the family to Gidan Kano village in Maradun Local Government Area to retrieve their relatives.
Upon arrival, they discovered his wife, daughter, and other released captives, but Malam Bashar Sani was not among them.
“When we inquired about his whereabouts, his wife informed us that he had passed away during captivity,” Hassan noted.
Further investigation revealed that Sani had died due to severe torture and untreated medical issues, including a fractured leg sustained during his abduction.
Residents of Maru have expressed deep sorrow over the incident, marking it as a tragic example of the rampant insecurity affecting rural parts of Zamfara State, where bandit groups inflict suffering through abductions for ransom.
Community leaders praised the late Sani as a respected educational figure who dedicated his life to public service and the improvement of education in the region.
His death has reignited calls for enhanced security measures to safeguard vulnerable communities in Zamfara and throughout Northern Nigeria facing similar threats.
Friends, colleagues, and local residents continue to mourn the loss of the respected academic, offering prayers for his soul's peace.
“May Allah overlook his sins and grant him eternal paradise,” one mourner stated.
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