Zamfara Lawmaker, Ex-LG Chair, District Head Arrested Over Kidnapping

A member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly representing Kaura Namoda State Constituency, Aminu Ibrahim, has been arrested by the police over allegations of banditry and kidnapping.

The Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State, Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, confirmed the arrest in an interview with DailyTrust, revealing that Ibrahim is currently in police custody.

In addition to Ibrahim, the District Head of Kaura Namoda, Alhaji Jafaru Abdullahi Kumburki, and a former chairman of the Kaura Namoda Local Government Area (LGA), Nasiru Muhammad, have also been detained on similar charges.

CP Dalijan disclosed that three district heads from Danjibga, Bukkuyum, and Unguwar Gyauro in Tsafe and Bukkuyum LGAs are under investigation for related offences, though their names have not been publicly released.

Preliminary investigations by the police indicated that the District Head of Kaura Namoda allegedly colluded with two suspected bandits’ collaborators, Alhaji Bala and Hali Sidi, to kidnap nine people in Gidan Sambo village, Kaura Namoda LGA.

The trio reportedly collected an ₦800,000 ransom before releasing their captives.

Additionally, Ibrahim, the serving lawmaker, was implicated in the kidnapping of 80-year-old Alhaji Ibrahim Sarkin Fada of Kasuwar Daji village.

The former chairman of Kaura Namoda LGA is accused of collaborating with Hali Sidi and Alhaji Bala to kidnap Alhaji Ango of Kumurya village.

The arrests come amid heightened efforts by law enforcement agencies to clamp down on banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State, a region plagued by insecurity and criminal activities.

The police commissioner said, “The district heads of Danjibga, Unguwar Gyauro and Bukkuyum will face an investigative panel set up by the state government over their involvement in banditry activities.

“Prior to the formation of the panel, the police had conducted an investigation on the matter and submitted their report to the state governor (Dauda Lawal) for further action.

“Police authorities will continue to identify, arrest and subsequently prosecute anybody found participating in banditry and other related crimes.

“Investigation is still ongoing and I can assure you that whoever is found directly or indirectly involved in this case will be invited for questioning.”