Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The funeral prayer of Malam Zainu AB Mada was held on Wednesday in Zamfara State amid grief and anger, days after he was abducted and subsequently killed by bandits along the Kwatarkwashi–Mada highway. His death, confirmed by local residents, has deepened public anxiety over the worsening security situation in the state and the disturbing trend of abductors killing victims even after ransom payments are made.
Malam Zainu was reportedly kidnapped while travelling on the Kwatarkwashi–Mada road, a corridor that has increasingly become notorious for ambushes, abductions and armed attacks. According to community sources, his abductors demanded a ransom, which relatives and sympathisers struggled to raise in the hope of saving his life. The demands were eventually met, with the payment of ₦2 million in cash, the surrender of two mobile phones and the transfer of airtime valued at ₦70,000.
Despite fulfilling the conditions set by the kidnappers, Malam Zainu was later killed, shattering expectations that compliance would guarantee his release. His body was returned to the community, where funeral rites were performed in accordance with Islamic tradition. Mourners described the atmosphere as one of sorrow mixed with outrage, as residents grappled with the senselessness of the killing.
Community elders said the incident reflects a broader and deeply troubling pattern in Zamfara and other parts of northwestern Nigeria, where criminal gangs no longer feel bound by informal rules that once governed ransom negotiations. In earlier years, families believed that paying ransom, though painful and financially devastating, at least offered a chance of securing the safe return of abducted relatives. Increasingly, that assumption is proving false.
Residents along the Kwatarkwashi–Mada axis say attacks have become frequent, with travellers often avoiding the road or moving only in convoys during daylight hours. Farmers, traders and commuters now weigh the risks of travel against the demands of daily survival. Many describe living in a constant state of fear, unsure when the next attack might occur or whether security forces will arrive in time to prevent tragedy.
Local accounts indicate that bandit groups operating in the area are well armed, mobile and familiar with the terrain, allowing them to strike quickly and retreat into forest hideouts. Despite ongoing military and police operations in Zamfara State, residents argue that vast rural areas remain poorly secured, creating opportunities for kidnappers to operate with relative impunity.
The killing of Malam Zainu has reignited debate over the growing reliance on ransom payments as a response to kidnapping. While authorities consistently discourage the payment of ransom, families often find themselves with few alternatives when faced with threats to their loved ones’ lives. In many cases, communities pool resources to meet demands, selling livestock, farmland or personal belongings in desperate efforts to save abductees.
Security analysts warn that ransom payments, while sometimes resulting in the release of victims, also fuel the criminal economy that sustains banditry. Funds obtained through kidnapping are believed to be used to purchase weapons, motorcycles and supplies, enabling gangs to expand their operations and carry out further attacks. The execution of victims even after payment, analysts say, underscores the breakdown of any remaining restraint among these groups.
Zamfara State has for years been at the centre of Nigeria’s banditry crisis, with cycles of violence displacing communities, disrupting agriculture and undermining social cohesion. Attempts at peace agreements and dialogue with armed groups have yielded mixed results, with periods of relative calm often followed by renewed waves of attacks. Residents say the latest incident raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current strategies.
Family members of the deceased declined to speak publicly, but neighbours described Malam Zainu as a respected member of the community whose death has left a void. They said his killing has heightened fears that no one is safe, regardless of compliance with kidnappers’ demands. For many, the sense of helplessness is compounded by the perception that perpetrators are rarely brought to justice.
Civil society groups and community leaders have renewed calls for stronger and more sustained government intervention, including improved intelligence gathering, better protection of highways and rural communities, and support for victims of violence. Some have urged authorities to prioritise the dismantling of bandit networks and the arrest of key figures believed to be coordinating attacks from forest enclaves.
Others argue that beyond military responses, long-term solutions must address the underlying drivers of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment and the proliferation of small arms. Without tackling these root causes, they warn, cycles of violence and retaliation will persist, and communities will continue to bear the brunt.
As Zamfara mourns Malam Zainu AB Mada, his death stands as a stark reminder of the human cost of Nigeria’s insecurity crisis. The incident has intensified calls for urgent action to restore safety on major roads and to protect citizens from criminals who now operate with alarming brutality. For residents of the Kwatarkwashi–Mada corridor and beyond, the hope is that this latest tragedy will galvanise decisive measures to prevent further loss of life and restore a measure of peace to the region.
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