Shock as corpse of respected Islamic cleric found in Dansadau, Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Residents of Dansadau, a farming and cattle-rearing town in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, woke up Tuesday morning to a grim discovery of the lifeless body of Malam Danladi Boss, a respected Islamic cleric and community leader in the Asibitin Elejah area of the town.

The deceased cleric body was found at the outskirts of Dansadau under suspicious and disturbing circumstances.

Local sources who first stumbled upon the body around 7:05 a.m., said the deceased appeared to have been killed overnight by unknown assailants, with no immediate witnesses or signs of struggle at the scene.

“He was a quiet, peaceful man. We don’t know why anyone would do this to him,” said Musa Dansadau, a relative of the deceased, visibly shaken by the incident.News of the death spread quickly, triggering a wave of mourning in the tightly-knit community.

While Dansadau has been one of the flashpoints in Zamfara’s ongoing battle with armed banditry, the killing of Malam Danladi has brought the violence closer to the heart of the town itself.

Shock as corpse of respected Islamic cleric found in Dansadau, Zamfara

Fresh banditry attacks leave four dead, many injured in Zamfara’s Damri District

By: Zagazola Makama

At least four farmers killed and several livestock stolen on Tuesday in Damri District of Bakura Local Government Area, Zamfara State, following a series of coordinated attacks by armed bandits.

It was learnt that the attacks, which occurred on Monday, July 21, were carried out by a large group of bandits estimated at over 60 riding on motorcycles.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the criminals first stormed Damri village at about 11:00 a.m., targeting unsuspecting farmers who were working on their farmlands.

“They just came suddenly, opened fire, and everyone started running,” said Alhaji Shehu Maikasuwa, a local farmer who escaped the assault. “Two people were hit and seriously injured.”

Later that same day, at about 5:45 p.m., the bandits reportedly returned in a more ferocious manner, launching near-simultaneous attacks on three other villages in the same district: Turmi, Zugudum, and Gidan Begu. The raids resulted in the deaths of four villagers and the theft of an undisclosed number of cattle.

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, police and the Civilian Protection Guards (CPG), and local vigilantes were immediately deployed to the affected areas.

“Unfortunately, by the time our operatives arrived at the scenes, the bandits had already fled,said security sources.

He added that the corpses of the deceased were recovered, examined by medical personnel, and released to their families for burial in line with Islamic customs, while the injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Fresh banditry attacks leave four dead, many injured in Zamfara’s Damri District

Farm quarrel ends in tragedy as 19-year-old stabs friend to death in Gombe

By: Zagazola Makama

What began as a routine day on the farm in Kulani Chessi village, Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State, ended in tragedy on Monday when a petty argument between two young men turned deadly.

The police have confirmed the arrest of 19-year-old Mustapha Adamu, who allegedly stabbed his 20-year-old friend and co-worker, Yahuza Labaran, following a disagreement while they were farming.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the two young men had gone to the farm as they usually did, but at about 3 p.m., a heated argument ensued. What triggered the dispute remains unclear, but what followed was a violent attack that left the community in shock.

Sources said that in the heat of the argument, Mustapha drew a knife and stabbed Yahuza in the left shoulder, causing a deep wound that led to significant blood loss.

Upon receipt of the report, a team of policemen was dispatched to the scene. The victim was rushed to the Balanga General Hospital, but he was confirmed dead on arrival by a medical doctor

The suspect was promptly arrested by the police and is currently in custody. During preliminary interrogation, he reportedly confessed to the act, saying he had no intention of killing his friend.

“I didn’t mean to kill him,” Mustapha was quoted as saying during his confession. “We were only arguing, and I lost my temper.”

The tragic incident has cast a dark cloud over the quiet farming village, with residents mourning the loss of a young life and calling for greater efforts to promote non-violent conflict resolution among youths.

Village elder Mallam Umaru Kalla expressed concern over the growing rate of youth violence in rural communities, especially among farm workers.

“This is not the first time a minor disagreement has escalated into something deadly,” Kalla said. “We need to start teaching our children how to resolve issues without violence. A knife should not be the answer to every disagreement.”

Police authorities have assured the public that investigation is ongoing and that the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion.

Farm quarrel ends in tragedy as 19-year-old stabs friend to death in Gombe