Gunmen Kill Another Student, Abduct Others in Latest Attack
Zarah Abubakar Shehu, a 21-year-old 300-level student of the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State, has tragically died after spending four months in captivity.
Zarah was abducted alongside her two siblings from their home in the Damba area of Gusau on November 3, 2024.
Her kidnappers initially demanded ₦35 million for their release but later reduced it to ₦10 million.
Even after receiving the ransom, the abductors refused to set her free, insisting on four motorcycles and four cartons of engine oil as additional conditions.
After months of negotiations, her family finally managed to meet these demands. However, the kidnappers then revealed that Zarah had already died and had been buried two days before the final agreement was reached.
As the only daughter of her mother, Zarah’s death is a devastating blow to her family and highlights the worsening insecurity in the region, where kidnappings for ransom have become alarmingly frequent.
Meanwhile, in a separate attack, suspected armed bandits abducted four students from Paris Quarters, located behind the Federal University, Dutsinma, in Katsina State.
Security expert Zagazola Makama reported that the attack happened around 2:20 a.m. when a large group of gunmen invaded the area and took the victims away.
The kidnapped students have been identified as Wali Kayode, Fahad Muhammad, Emmanuel (surname unknown), and one other person whose identity is yet to be confirmed.
Following a distress call, security operatives were deployed to the scene, but the bandits had already escaped.
Efforts are currently underway to locate the kidnappers and rescue the students safely.
