A young man has been reportedly beaten to death by members of a local vigilante group in Zamfara State over the alleged theft of three pieces of watermelon. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
Brutal Assault on Gusau Hotel Road
The tragic event occurred in the early hours of Sunday, December 21, 2025, around 4:00 a.m. The location was along Gusau Hotel Road in Gusau, the state capital. The victim was identified as Abdullahi Ibrahim, described by his family as a mentally ill person.
In an exclusive interview, the deceased's elder brother, Aminu Ibrahim, provided a harrowing account of the incident. He stated that members of the vigilante group, popularly known as Yansakai, brutally assaulted his brother on suspicion of stealing the fruit.
"My brother was beaten mercilessly because of 3 watermelons," Aminu told journalists. He explained that he was initially misinformed, receiving a call on the morning of Monday, December 22, that his brother had been in an accident. Upon rushing to the scene, he discovered the grim reality.
Family's Disturbing Account and Demand for Justice
Aminu Ibrahim alleged that by the time he arrived, his brother was in critical condition, his body covered in clotted blood. He further claimed that the vigilantes refused to allow the victim's boss to take him to the hospital unless a sum of ₦20,000 was paid.
"When we got there, they insisted that I take him to the hospital, but I refused because his body was already covered in clotted blood. How can I take him to the hospital while I’m not a police officer?" Aminu queried.
He decided to report the incident to the police. However, while en route, he received a devastating call informing him that Abdullahi had died. The family has since condemned the act, labeling it a grave violation of human rights and evidence of a lack of accountability within local security groups.
Legal Action and Police Silence
Human rights lawyer Mubashir Umar confirmed the involvement of the Yansakai group. "Yes, he was killed by Yansakai local security. He was killed for suspecting him of having stolen 3 pieces of watermelon," Umar stated.
The lawyer disclosed that legal steps are being pursued to ensure justice. He, alongside a legal team led by Dr. Audu Bulama Bukarti, has committed to following up on the case to bring the perpetrators to book.
As of the time of the report, the Zamfara State Police Command had not issued an official statement. Repeated attempts to reach the command's spokesperson, Yezid Abubakar, for comment were unsuccessful.
This incident echoes a similar case of fatal jungle justice recently reported in Ondo State, where a boy was beaten to death for allegedly plucking cocoa pods. The police in that case made an arrest and warned the public against taking the law into their own hands.
