The son of the Sarkin Hausawa of Janjala, Safiyanu Ibrahim, was killed by bandits for marrying the girlfriend of their leader, according to family sources. The tragic incident occurred on May 18, 2024, in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The bandits invaded the residence of the Sarkin Hausawa and fatally shot Safiyanu Ibrahim and his younger brother, Nasiru Abubakar. Family members believe the killings were motivated by a romantic rivalry involving Safiyanu’s new bride, who was previously involved with the bandit leader.
A family member, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, explained that the bandit leader had warned Safiyanu to stay away from his girlfriend, who later became Safiyanu’s second wife.
“The late Safiyanu met his second wife in Kagarko town, and they started dating. When the bandit leader found out about the relationship, he warned Safiyanu to withdraw,” the source said.
Despite the threats, Safiyanu proceeded with the marriage.
“After the marriage, the bride refused to submit to him until one of his friends intervened. But the next day, the bandits came and killed him,” the source added.
The new wife fled the matrimonial home the day after the killing, raising suspicions about her involvement or knowledge of the attack.
The mother of the deceased, Asabe, pleaded with the bandits to spare her son’s life, but they ignored her pleas and killed him in her presence.
“It was heartbreaking. She begged them, but they were determined to kill him,” a relative named Saleh recounted.
The tragic events unfolded just a week after Safiyanu married his second wife in Zamfara State. The family is now questioning the bride’s sudden disappearance following the attack, as her whereabouts remain unknown.
As of the time of this report, SP Hassan Mansur, the spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, has not commented on the incident. The lack of response from law enforcement officials adds to the family’s distress and the community’s fear.
This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Kaduna State and the pervasive threat posed by bandit groups in the region. The brutal killing of Safiyanu Ibrahim and his brother underscores the lawlessness that bandits impose on local communities, further exacerbating the instability in northern Nigeria.