The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old man, Muhammad Wanzam, for allegedly killing a traveller, Alhaji Babuga Muhammad, along a rural road in Bena, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, who confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi, said the incident occurred on October 16, 2025, when the victim was travelling from Bena town to his village, Karaye, in Bagega District of Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State.
According to the police, the victim was ambushed near Malakachi village, where his attackers blocked the road, abducted him, and took him into a nearby forest. There, he was reportedly attacked with a machete and left with fatal injuries.
Police officers from the Bena Division later visited the scene and recovered the victim’s body, which was taken to the General Hospital, Bena, where doctors confirmed him dead.
Following swift investigation, police operatives arrested Wanzam in connection with the killing. During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to conspiring with one Nuhu Bena, who is currently on the run, to carry out the attack.
Abubakar said a search of Wanzam’s residence led to the recovery of dangerous weapons believed to have been used in the crime. The items recovered include one fabricated AK-47 rifle, a Dane gun, two live ammunition, one magazine, and the cutlass used to attack the victim.
“The suspect will be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations, while efforts are ongoing to arrest his accomplice who fled after the incident,” the police spokesperson stated.
The case, he added, has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Birnin Kebbi for further investigation.
CSP Abubakar also used the opportunity to warn residents against taking the law into their own hands, urging them to always report suspicious movements or criminal activities to the nearest security agency.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Chris Aimionowane, has directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to intensify patrols and strengthen intelligence gathering, especially in border communities prone to attacks,” he said.
He assured that the police remain committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across Kebbi State.
The command further encouraged community leaders and vigilante groups to continue cooperating with the police by providing useful information that could help track down criminals hiding within local communities.
The killing of the traveller highlights growing concerns over insecurity in rural and border communities between Kebbi and Zamfara States, where armed robbery, kidnapping, and banditry have been recurrent.
The Danko-Wasagu area, located in southern Kebbi, shares a boundary with parts of Zamfara State, one of the regions most affected by bandit attacks in recent years. Travellers and local residents have repeatedly called for more security presence along routes linking the two states, particularly around Bena, Sakaba, and Zuru areas.
Community members say criminals often take advantage of the vast forests and poor communication networks to carry out ambushes and flee before security forces arrive.
As investigations continue, the arrest of Wanzam marks a significant step in the effort to curb violent crimes in Kebbi State, especially in areas bordering Zamfara, which have in recent years become hotspots for criminal activities.
