Former SUG President Dies After 13 Days In Bandits’ Captivity
A former Students’ Union Government (SUG) President of the College of Agricultural and Animal Science Technology, Bakura, Zamfara State, Lawali Muhammad, has reportedly died shortly after being released by bandits.
Muhammad spent 13 days in the hands of his abductors before he was eventually returned to his family following prolonged ransom negotiations.
Reports indicate that he died before his relatives could transport him to a hospital after his release.
According to Dan Katsina (@DanKatsina50), who shared the incident on X, a family member revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded a motorcycle and ₦2 million to free Muhammad.
After the family reportedly fulfilled the demands, the bandits allegedly introduced another condition, requesting an additional ₦1 million.
The family member further disclosed that the kidnappers later said Muhammad was exhausted and promised to release him the following day.
Sadly, after his eventual return, he reportedly died before his family could get him medical attention.
The incident has once again highlighted the devastating impact of kidnapping in Zamfara State, where families are often subjected to enormous financial demands while negotiating the release of their loved ones.
A security assessment published by the European Union Agency for Asylum in January 2026 recorded 760 security incidents in Zamfara between January 2024 and August 2025, with 2,806 people killed. It noted that 439 of the incidents involved violence against civilians.
More recently, on November 9, SaharaReporters reported that gunmen attacked a community in the state, killing 11 people, including a local security volunteer and 10 members of his family, while abducting 13 others.
Muhammad’s death has added to growing concerns about the fate of victims who survive prolonged captivity but may require urgent medical attention after their release.
There was no official reaction from the Zamfara State Police Command or the state government as of the time of this report.
