A 21-year-old 300-level student at Federal University Gusau (FUGUS) in Zamfara State, Zarah Abubakar Shehu, has died in custody of her abductors despite heavy ransom already paid for her release.

Zarah, the only daughter of her mother, was kidnapped on Sunday, November 3, 2024, after heavily armed bandits stormed the Damba area of Gusau, where she lived with her family. 

Counter-terrorism expert, Zagazola Makama, confirmed that Zarah was kidnapped alongside her two siblings and taken deep into the forests of Zamfara State.

Soon after the abduction, the kidnappers reached out to their family, demanding a ransom of ₦35 million for the safe release of Zarah and her siblings.

However, like many families caught in such terrifying situations, they struggled to raise such an enormous sum.

After several weeks of desperation, negotiations, and financial mobilisation, the family managed to gather ₦10 million.

The kidnappers agreed to accept the sum but also insisted that the family also provide four motorcycles and four cartons of engine oil before releasing the captives.

Zarah and her siblings spent a harrowing four months in captivity, enduring unimaginable hardship.

Once all the demanded items had been gathered, the kidnappers’ leader was informed.

The kingpin instructed his men to check on the captives, only to be told that one of them, Zarah, had already died two days earlier and had been buried.