By Anan Geolengs
Residents of Zango community in Yobe State have welcomed the arrest of a village head over alleged involvement in kidnapping, killings and attacks that reportedly displaced residents and left many traumatised.
The traditional ruler, Lawan Ganga, who is the village head of Azere community in Gujba Local Government Area, was arrested by police detectives following a petition to the Force Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.
A community leader, Yakubu Buka Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, alleging that the monarch coordinated a bandit gang operating in Gulani and Gujba local government areas.
Ibrahim said detectives apprehended Ganga in the early hours of September 18.
He commended the police for the arrest, saying residents were hopeful that it would help address the persistent insecurity in the area.
According to him, suspected kidnappers allegedly led by Ganga began attacking Zango on June 12, resulting in repeated assaults, killings and injuries.
He alleged that more than 200 residents had been killed or maimed, while several others were displaced and left living in fear.
“On July 16, 2024, an elder statesman in Zango community was killed while working in his farm. Also, on July 19, 2024, the notorious gang returned and attacked the community, leaving several residents dead and many unaccounted for,” Ibrahim said.
He added that the gang later turned to kidnapping for ransom, with seven attacks recorded in the community.
Ibrahim described the attack of August 9, 2025, as the worst, saying it left several people dead and others wounded.
“The bandits further attacked nearby Dokshi Village Dispensary, carting away drugs worth millions of naira and also burnt the village primary school, all in an effort to displace the entire community,” he added.
The community leader expressed concern that the attacks had reportedly been brought to the attention of the Gujba Emirate Council, headed by the Emir of Gujba, Alhaji Mai Mukhtar Ibn Ali, without any meaningful response.
He said the suspect remained in police custody.
The allegations against the traditional ruler had not been established in court as of the time of filing this report.
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