From Maiharaji Altine
There was serious tension in Zamfara State as members of the recently inaugurated community protection guards allegedly murdered a political associate of Senator Kabir Marafa, Magaji Lawal.
Late Lawal was invited by members of the Community Protection Guards, (CPG), to it’s office in Tsafe town the headquarters of local government area on Saturday on the allegation that he was romancing with the bandits.
Addressing newsmen immediately after the funeral prayer of the deceased in Yandoto town, Senator Kabir Marafa said he personnally encouraged the late Magaji to honour the invitation of the CPG to hear the allegations levelled against him.
He said, “When I was informed that, the members of the CPG had invited Magaji Lawal to their office, I called him and told him that he should honor the invitation because they are government’s agency”.
“But to my utmost surprise, someone called me and told me that, Magaji Lawal has lost his life during the interrogation by the members of the CPG”.
Sen. Marafa explained that, blood was gushing from the mouth, ear and the nose of the corpse of the late Magaji.
He allegedly, late Magaji was seriously tortured which eventually led to his death.
Sen. Mafara said already, the corpse of late Lawal has been seen to the hospital to ascertain the true situation that led to his death.
“From what we have seen was that, 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 to establish CPG was a welcome development to end the act of banditry.
“Im really in support of the government to fight bandtry and ready to give necessary support to it”.
“But my concern is the alleged recruitment of persons with questionable character”, he added
Marafa however vowed to follow all necessary channels to ascertain the true circumstances that led to the death of Late Magaji .
Meanwhile, the state Government has issued a directive for security agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident which resulted into the death of Magaji Lawal.
In a statement, the secretary to the state government, Abubakar Nakwada said, the incident happened as a result of fracas between two factions of the local vigilante groups of the area.
Nakwada said, “The Government is fully cognisant of the skirmish between the two factions, but the situation is now completely 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’.