In a shocking case of mob justice that has left residents of Zaria reeling, a 20-year-old man named Aliyu Nuhu is recovering from a gruesome head injury after vigilante members allegedly drove a five-inch nail into his skull. The brutal attack stemmed from accusations that Aliyu had stolen a chicken, highlighting the dangers of vigilante groups taking the law into their own hands.
According to Aliyu's father, Mallam Salisu Nuhu, the ordeal began when his son was caught trying to sell a chicken in the local market. "They arrested him on the spot, dragged him to their base, and started torturing him," Mallam Salisu recounted in an emotional interview with Report Naija. He claimed the vigilantes demanded bail money for Aliyu's release, but when the family couldn't pay up, they let him go—only after inflicting the horrific injury.
For 13 agonizing days, Aliyu lived with the nail embedded in his head, enduring unbearable pain and risking severe infection. The family finally managed to get him medical attention, where surgeons successfully removed the nail in a delicate operation. The cost of treatment has been staggering, with Mallam Salisu revealing they've spent over N800,000 so far, dipping into savings and borrowing from relatives to cover hospital bills and medications.
Aliyu has pointed the finger at one Nuhu Dan Banga as the main perpetrator behind the attack. "He was the one who hammered the nail in," Aliyu said weakly from his hospital bed, still bandaged and under observation. The young man's story has sparked outrage in the community, with many calling for stricter oversight of vigilante operations in Kaduna State.
Police authorities in Zaria have confirmed the incident and are taking action. A spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command told Report Naija that one suspect has already been arrested in connection with the assault, while efforts are underway to apprehend another who remains at large. "Investigations are ongoing, and we assure the public that justice will be served," the spokesperson stated, urging citizens to report crimes to law enforcement rather than resorting to self-help.
This incident comes amid growing concerns about vigilante violence in northern Nigeria, where economic hardships and petty theft often lead to extreme punishments. Community leaders in Zaria are now pushing for dialogues to prevent such tragedies, emphasizing that no one deserves such barbaric treatment over unproven allegations.