There was tension in Zamfara State following reports of the alleged murder of Magaji Lawal, a political associate of Senator Kabir Marafa, by members of the recently established Community Protection Guards (CPG).
According to sources, the Community Protection Guards invited Lawal to their office in Tsafe town, the administrative hub of the local government area, on Saturday. Allegations had surfaced accusing him of collaborating with bandits, prompting the invitation.
WikkiTimes reports that Governor Dauda Lawal had on February 1, 2024, inaugurated the CPG, a local security outfit to confront the lingering banditry in the state. Magaji could be the first victim allegedly killed by the corps.
Addressing newsmen immediately after the funeral prayer of the deceased in Yandoto town, Marafa said he encouraged the late Lawal to honour the invitation of the CPG to hear the allegations levelled against him.
“When I was informed that members of the CPG had invited Magaji Lawal to their office, I called him and told him that he should honour the invitation because they are government agency members,” The Punch quoted Marafa saying.
“But to my utmost surprise, someone called me and told me that Magaji Lawal had lost his life during the interrogation by the members of the CPG.”
Marafa alleged that the CPG operatives tortured the deceased and inflicted injury inflicted on him.
“From what we have seen, Magaji Lawal was allegedly killed by officials of the CPG as some of the people invited along with him were tortured and released,” he added.
According to him, the idea of the state government establishing CPG was a welcome development to end the act of banditry.
Bandits Invade Zamfara Community, Kill Two Police Officers, Abduct 40 Villagers
“I’m really in support of the government to fight banditry and ready to give necessary support to it, but my concern was alleged recruitment of persons with questionable character.”
Marafa, however, vowed to follow all necessary channels to assert the true circumstances that led to the death.
Meanwhile, in its official statement, the state government has directed security agencies to investigate the matter and to fish out the culprits.
The statement issued in Gusau on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Nakwada, also indicated that the deceased was a member of the outlawed Yansakai vigilante group in the area.
However, Nakwada noted that the initial report indicated that the man died following a confrontation with some operatives of the CPG.
He said the government was aware of skirmishes between the outlawed group and the newly established CPG, but assured that the situation was under control.
“The government is committed to ensuring that anyone found culpable in this incident will be sanctioned to the full extent of the law.
“The CPG operatives are reminded of their legal obligations to operate strictly within the confines of the law.
“Members of the CPG have a stringent responsibility to adhere to the established rules of engagement in all operations,” he added.
He called on members of the general public to continue with their daily activities without fear.
“Measures have been taken to guarantee the maintenance of law and order in the affected area and across the state,” Nakwada assured.
WikkiTimes reports that bandits, on Tuesday morning, invaded Kasuwa-Daji community of Kaura-Namoda local government area of the state killing at least two police officers, and two civilians and abducting over forty villagers.