10 suspected killers of Zamfara Islamic student arrested

The Zamfara State Government said 10 persons have been arrested in connection with the murder of an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Mada.

Mada was reportedly murdered in Mada town, Gusau Local Government Area on Tuesday.

A statement on Wednesday by the state governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, noted that suspects apprehended by the authorities are members of an outlawed vigilantes group and not members of the state’s Community Protection Guards.

The statement read, “The arrested vigilantes were not authorised by the state government to carry out any form of security operations as they are not part of the Community Protection Guards.

“The security operatives have successfully apprehended all suspected vigilantes behind this heinous crime.

“The Zamfara State Government has taken this matter seriously and is committed to ensuring that all the culprits behind this unfortunate murder are brought to book.

“Every effort will be put in place to ensure justice is served without compromise.

“We want to clarify that the suspected vigilantes behind the extrajudicial murder are not in any way related to the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards.”

The Community Protection Guards is a local community-based security outfit.

He added, “This clarification is expected to put to rest the confusion that arose over the identity of the arrested culprits behind the extrajudicial murder.

“We will never compromise on the protection of the lives and properties of the people.

“We want to inform the public that the Zamfara Community Protection Guards has modus operandi which prevent them from engaging in an operation without the guidance of relevant security operatives.

“Based on the preliminary investigation conducted by the police, it has been discovered that one of the vigilantes who was arrested was a former student of the murdered Sheikh.

“This information can help the authorities better understand the situation and take appropriate actions.

“Zamfara government will share the outcome of the police investigation with the public once it is concluded.

“During this trying time, we sympathise with Sheikh Abubakar Hassan Mada’s family and the entire community. May his soul rest in peace.”