The Zamfara State Government said that ten people had been arrested in connection with the murder of an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Mada.
Mada was reportedly slain on Tuesday in Mada, Gusau Local Government Area.
Sulaiman Idris, the state governor’s spokeswoman, stated on Wednesday that the individuals seized by officials are members of a banned vigilante organization rather than members of the state’s Community Protection Guards (a local community-based security outfit).
The statement read, “The arrested vigilantes were not authorized by the state government to carry out any form of security operations as they are not part of the Community Protection Guards.
“The security operatives have successfully apprehended all suspected vigilantes behind this heinous crime.
“The Zamfara State Government has taken this matter seriously and is committed to ensuring that all the culprits behind this unfortunate murder are brought to book.
“Every effort will be put in place to ensure justice is served without compromise.
“We want to clarify that the suspected vigilantes behind the extra-judicial murder are not in any way related to the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards.”
He added, “This clarification is expected to put to rest the confusion that arose over the identity of the arrested culprits behind the extra-judicial murder.
“We will never compromise on the protection of the lives and properties of the people.
“We want to inform the public that the Zamfara Community Protection Guards have a modus operandi that prevents them from engaging in an operation without the guidance of relevant security operatives.
“Based on the preliminary investigation conducted by the police, it has been discovered that one of the vigilantes who was arrested was a former student of the murdered Sheikh.
“This information can help the authorities better understand the situation and take appropriate actions.”
