On May 1, 2025, the people of Maru in Zamfara State were plunged into mourning following the devastating revelation that their revered Chief Imam, Alkali Salisu Suleiman, had died in captivity alongside two of his sons and a grandchild. The shocking news was made known by a female abductee who recently managed to escape from the kidnappers' den and informed local residents of the tragic fate.

The exact date of the deaths remains uncertain. Community members are divided, with some believing the deaths occurred before Ramadan, while others suspect it was just before the Eid el- Fitr (Sallah) celebrations. The imam and his family were among nine relatives kidnapped during a violent raid on the community two months ago. Distressingly, five of those abducted remain missing, leaving families in agonizing suspense over their fate.

The late Suleiman, a retired Shari' ah court judge and respected spiritual leader, was one of over 20 people abducted in the same raid, which also disrupted a wedding ceremony in progress. A newlywed couple was among those seized, underscoring the indiscriminate brutality of the attackers.

It was reported that the chief imam was already unwell at the time of his abduction. His health issues were severe enough that his captors demanded medication, clothing, and other essentials, which the family painstakingly provided. Despite these efforts, he and three of his close family members tragically did not survive captivity. There is uncertainty about whether the deaths were caused by illness or if they were executed by the bandits.