By Usman Suleiman 

A Civic Education teacher at Federal Government College, Anka, and a newly admitted SS1 student have reportedly been killed following a bandit attack along the Anka–Maru Road in Zamfara State.

According to reports, the incident involved an ambush on travellers, the abduction of several passengers, and ransom negotiations that ended tragically despite efforts by family members to secure the teacher's release.

A tragic bandit attack along the Anka–Maru Road in Zamfara State has reportedly claimed the lives of Mallam Mustapha Maru, a Civic Education teacher at Federal Government College, Anka, and a newly admitted SS1 student, Summayah Abubakar.

According to reports, the victims were travelling from Maru Village to Anka when armed bandits ambushed their vehicle and opened fire on passengers.
Sources said Summayah sustained severe injuries during the attack and was initially taken to General Hospital Anka before being referred to Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, where she reportedly died while receiving treatment.

Mallam Maru was reportedly abducted alongside other passengers and taken into the bush by the attackers.

According to individuals familiar with the negotiations, the abductors initially demanded ₦50 million and five motorcycles before later reducing the ransom demand. Family members reportedly raised about ₦3.1 million through negotiations and intermediaries in an effort to secure his release.

A close associate of the deceased reportedly said communication with the teacher ceased a few days after his abduction, raising concerns among relatives and community members.

Sources further alleged that the abductors later informed the family that the victim had been killed while attempting to escape. However, family members reportedly dispute that account and believe he was deliberately killed after the ransom payment.

Residents of Maru community have also expressed concern over worsening insecurity in the area, citing recurring kidnappings, attacks on travellers and threats to rural communities.

Local officials reportedly confirmed the incident, while police sources indicated they had not received an official report at the time.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the persistent security challenges facing parts of Zamfara State, where kidnappings, highway ambushes and attacks on rural communities continue to pose significant risks to residents and travellers.