10 vigilantes arrested in connection with murder of Zamfara Islamic scholar

Ten people have been arrested in Zamfara in connection with the gruesome murder of an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Hassan Mada.

Mada was reportedly murdered in Mada town, Gusau Local Government Area, on Tuesday.

A statement made available to The Guardian on Wednesday by Sulaiman Bala Idris, the spokesperson for Governor Dauda Lawal, noted that the suspects apprehended by the authorities are members of an outlawed vigilantes group and not members of the state’s Community Protection Guards (CPG).

According to the statement, “Zamfara State government received the heart-wrenching news of the extrajudicial murder of Sheikh Abubakar Hassan Mada in Mada town. It is indeed an unfortunate incident that could have been prevented.

“The arrested vigilantes were not authorised by the state government to carry out any form of security operations as they are not part of the Community Protection Guards.

“The security operatives have successfully apprehended all suspected vigilantes behind this heinous crime.

“The Zamfara State government has taken this matter seriously and is committed to ensuring that all the culprits behind this unfortunate murder are brought to book. “Every effort will be put in place to ensure justice is served without compromise.

“We want to clarify that the suspected vigilantes behind the extrajudicial murder are not in any way related to the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards.

“The Community Protection Guards, a local community-based security outfit, was established to protect communities and not terrorize people in the state.

“This clarification is expected to put to rest the confusion that arose over the identity of the arrested culprits behind the extrajudicial murder.

“We will never compromise on the protection of the lives and properties of the people.

“We want to inform the public that the Zamfara Community Protection Guards has modus operandi which prevent them from engaging in an operation without the guidance of relevant security operatives.

“Based on the preliminary investigation conducted by the police, it has been discovered that one of the vigilantes who was arrested was a former student of the murdered Sheikh.

“This information can help the authorities better understand the situation and take appropriate actions.

“Zamfara government will share the outcome of the police investigation with the public once it is concluded.

“During this trying time, we sympathize with Sheikh Abubakar Hassan Mada’s family and the entire community. May his soul rest in peace.”