Lawali Muhammad, a former President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) at the College of Agricultural and Animal Science Technology, Bakura, Zamfara State, has died shortly after regaining his freedom from bandits who held him captive for 13 days.
Muhammad reportedly died before he could be taken to a hospital after his abductors returned him to his family following ransom negotiations.
According to a report shared by Dan Katsina on X, a family member disclosed that the kidnappers initially demanded a motorcycle and ₦2 million for Muhammad’s release.
After the family reportedly met the demands, the bandits allegedly requested an additional ₦1 million.
The family member explained that the kidnappers later promised to release Muhammad the following day, claiming he was exhausted.
However, when he was eventually returned home, he died before his relatives could rush him to a hospital.
The incident has renewed concerns over the growing insecurity in Zamfara State, where armed groups frequently abduct students, travellers, farmers and other residents for ransom.
Inside Zamfara State:
Gunmen Burn 12 Zamfara Family Members To Death
Suspected Thugs Attack APC Senatorial Primary Centres, Injure One In Zamfara
A January 2026 assessment by the European Union Agency for Asylum documented 760 security incidents in Zamfara between January 2024 and August 2025, resulting in 2,806 deaths. Of the incidents, 439 reportedly involved violence against civilians.
On November 9, gunmen reportedly attacked a community in the state, killing a local security volunteer and 10 members of his family before abducting 13 other residents.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Zamfara State Police Command nor the state government had issued an official statement concerning Muhammad’s death.
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So sorry to hear about Lawali Muhammad. It’s heartbreaking that he didn’t survive after being held for 13 days. I usually try to unwind with Sky Climb — Daily Balloon Trivia when the news gets heavy, but this story is just too much. Sky Climb — Daily Balloon Trivia