Bandits kills Politician after collect 15 million ransom in Zamfara

Sahara Reporters gathered that the attack occurred on the evening of July 22, 2025, when bandits blocked the Manyaci–Bukkuyum road and opened fire on the vehicle.

Armed bandits who attacked the vehicle of the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State’s Bukkuyum Local Government Area, Hon. Muhammad Sala Wuta, shooting and injuring him, have reportedly killed Hon. Mu’azu Zannan Gwashi, who was kidnapped on the same day after part of his ransom was collected.

Gwashi, a political leader, was active in community affairs.

SaharaReporters gathered that the attack occurred on the evening of July 22, 2025, when bandits blocked the Manyaci–Bukkuyum road and opened fire on the vehicle. 

During the incident, PDP Chairman Sala Wuta was shot in the hand and leg, while three people, including Gwashi, were abducted.

Following the kidnapping, the captors initially demanded a ransom of N30 million, saying it would take about five months to release him. Negotiations later led to a reduction, and they agreed to accept N15 million.

It was gathered that when N15 million was delivered, the bandits collected the money but refused to release him. They insisted that the remaining N15 million be paid, bringing the total ransom to N30 million, before they would free him, SaharaReporters learnt.

“Months after Hon. Mu’azu Gwashi was abducted, kidnappers repeatedly shifted their ransom demands, first N30M, then N15M, then back to N30M even after collecting the first payment of N15M,” a Katsina-based security expert, Malam Bakatsine, said in a post on X.

“Yesterday evening, his community confirms he has died in captivity. A tragic end to a long ordeal. How many more families must face this cycle of extortion and loss?” 

Similarly, a Facebook user, Mohammed Ni’imatullah from Zamfara, who mourned Gwashi’s death, wrote on Wednesday evening: “Innalillahi wa'inailaihim raju'un Allah yajikan Hon Mu'azu Muhammad Gwashi.”

Idon Mikiya (Eagle Eye), a local news outlet, shared a post on Facebook on Wednesday evening, saying, “To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.

“After gunmen kidnapped Hon Mu'azu Gwashi, they said they will release him for 30 million afterwards, they asked for discount and they agreed to bring 15 million.

“After 15 million they brought him on bike looking and collected the 15 million, after collecting the 15 million they said they won't release him, in return they will be 15 million they become 30 million and release him.

“Finally today we received the news of God that he died. May Allah take mercy on his grave amen.”

Zamfara State has experienced frequent kidnappings and attacks by armed groups over the past several years, affecting multiple local government areas including Bukkuyum, Gusau, Maradun, and Shinkafi.

Security reports indicate that highways and rural roads in the state have been targeted, with bandits often demanding ransoms for abducted individuals. Both private citizens and public officials have been victims of these incidents.

Government security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force and the military, have conducted operations to counter banditry, but attacks and abductions continue to be reported across the state.