By Deborah Nnamdi
Suspected bandits have killed a former Vice Chairman of Bukkuyyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Mu’azu Muhammad Gwashi, despite collecting a N15 million ransom from his family.
Gwashi was abducted about five months ago and held in captivity before he was murdered last weekend.
Confirming the incident, a family member, Muhammad Lawal Gwashi, said the abductors initially demanded N30 million, an amount the family could not raise immediately, resulting in a prolonged period of captivity.
According to him, the bandits later reduced the ransom to N15 million, which the family paid after the kidnappers brought the victim to a designated location.
“They eventually came with him and collected the N15 million. However, they still insisted on the balance of N15 million, saying they would not release him until the family paid the remaining amount,” he said.
Lawal added that Gwashi was later killed, a development that has thrown the community into fear and forced many residents to flee their homes in search of safety.
Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have foiled an armed robbery attack, rescued abducted travellers, and recovered weapons in a series of coordinated operations across Taraba State.
The operations were disclosed in a statement issued yesterday by the Brigade’s Acting Spokesperson, Lt. Umar Muhammad.
According to the statement, the first incident occurred on December 6, 2025, at Manya in Takum Local Government Area, where troops responded to a distress call after armed robbers barricaded the Manya–Takum Road and began dispossessing travellers.
“The troops launched a rapid clearance operation, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon their weapons. An AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine, and three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered. Their intervention restored safety and movement along the busy route,” the statement said.
In a separate operation at Kufai Amadu, also in Takum, soldiers rescued two abducted travellers following reports that four men from Bauchi State were kidnapped in Amadu town while seeking directions to Baissa in Kurmi Local Government Area.
“Preliminary findings revealed that two of the victims, identified as Musa Danji and Yusuf, were taken away by their abductors towards New City.
“Coordinated search operations led to the rescue of two others, Yusuf Musa and Muhammed Umar, who escaped from captivity. Search efforts for the remaining victims are ongoing,” the Army stated, adding that efforts to apprehend the perpetrators have been intensified.
In another operation on December 6, troops deployed in Iware, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, recovered arms and arrested two suspects during an intelligence-driven raid at Garin Sambo, Tau Village.
Items recovered include two pump-action guns, 13 cartridges, two motorcycles, and four mobile phones. Two suspects, identified as Baba Wura Sambo and Mallam Adamu Darda, were arrested for alleged illegal possession of firearms.
The Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Kingsley Uwa, commended the troops for their professionalism and swift response, reiterating the Brigade’s commitment to sustained and aggressive operations to dismantle criminal networks across Taraba State.
