Tragedy as abducted chief imam, 2 sons, grandson killed by bandits

The son-in-law of the late chief imam of Maru town in Zamfara State, Alkali Salisu Suleiman, has shared a harrowing account of how the religious leader, along with his two sons and two-year-old grandson, were killed by bandits while in captivity.

The chief imam, a retired Shari’a court judge, was abducted four months ago during an armed attack on the Maru community, along with 23 others, including a newlywed couple who were celebrating their marriage when the raid occurred.

A total of nine members of the imam’s family—his wife, three daughters, three sons, and a grandchild—were among those seized.
Kabiru and Khuzaifa, two of the imam’s sons, were among those killed by the bandits.

Some relatives of the imam, alongside other captives, remain in the custody of the kidnappers. Despite fulfilling ransom demands, hopes for their release are fading among the community.

The abductors initially demanded N70 million for the release of their captives, but after protracted negotiations and prayers, the amount was reduced to N11 million, which the family managed to pay.

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At the time of his abduction, the imam was reportedly in poor health, prompting his family to send medication and clothing to the kidnappers as requested. It remains uncertain whether the imam succumbed to illness or was executed.

Muhammadu (not his real name), the imam’s son-in-law, recounted the suffering endured by the victims.

He said, “Baba, my father-in-law, was already sick when he was taken. For a man of his age to witness such cruelty inflicted upon his family, it was too much for him.

“We were told that the imam was killed during the first day of Ramadan, but the bandits didn’t inform us. They threatened to kill anyone from the freed hostages who revealed the news.”

Muhammadu described the heartbreaking fate of his two-year-old son.
“We were told that he cried to death after being tortured with fire.

“The bandits were said to have used a hot stone and pressed it onto his palm while he cried in pain. His cries were unbearable, but they continued their torture.

“He died in front of his grandfather, uncles, and aunts, who could do nothing to save him,” he said, choking with emotion.

“The two sons of the imam, Kabiru and Khuzaifa, also suffered similar horrors before being killed alongside three other individuals who had been abducted from neighbouring homes. The details of their torture remain too disturbing to fully recount,” Muhammad said.

Despite their profound loss, the family holds onto faith.
“We pray that Allah grants them peace and forgiveness. And we hope that the bandits will repent and turn away from violence,” he added.

Muhammadu said the news of the deaths was confirmed by a female abductee who recently escaped from captivity.

“She confirmed the killings and detailed the brutal treatment the victims suffered.

“The bandits had warned those released not to reveal the deaths to the families of the victims under threat of further violence.

“But the woman invited us to her sick bed and narrated everything to us,” he said.
A funeral prayer in absentia was held for the victims on Tuesday, as their bodies had not yet been recovered.

The killing of the imam and his family is part of a wider surge of violence in Zamfara State.
At least 28 people have been killed in recent coordinated attacks across Maru Local Government Area, with bandits reportedly burning shops, destroying vehicles, and rustling livestock.

On Tuesday, the assailants stormed Yar Tashar Sahabi village, setting shops ablaze and carting away animals. The assault is believed to have been carried out in retaliation for an ambush by local vigilantes, who had earlier killed several bandits and recovered stolen cattle.

(DAILY TRUST)