Notorious bandit Nasanda gives Zamfara State 14 days to pay him compensation of N30m

ZAMFARA State government has been given a 14-day ultimatum to come up with a sum of N30m ($72,379) as compensation for killing the wife of a renown bandit known as Nasanda or face the prospect of seeing 900 innocent people killed.

Of late, Zamfara State has been taken over by armed bandits who carry out bloody attacks on villages, murdering people in their dozens and abducting victims in exchange for heft ransom fees. In attempt to confront the bandits, the authorities responded to an attack and in the raid appeared to have killed Nasanda's wife, her uncle and her aunt.

Nasanda said: “If the state government fails to pay the compensation, I vow that I would lead to the killing of 300 community people. I cannot give months for the government to settle me, the 14 days would be enough to settle my demands.

"If the government can’t pay the N30m demanded, the government should be ready to see me in action. I will kill 300 people to avenge the death of my bride and two of her relations. Yes, the lives of 900 will be in danger.”

In a recorded audio message, Nasanda described the murder of his bride, her uncle, and aunt as deliberate, saying that the Yansakai vigilante men knew that they were related to him. He added that he has been realistic and not greedy in asking for the N30m compensation, pointing out that if he was greedy, he would have demanded for N50m for each of the people killed.

Furthermore, Nasanda added that  if Fulani people are not allowed to live in peace, they will also not allow others to live in peace. It is not yet clear how the Zamfara State government intends to react to this ultimatum.