A herdsman, Mohammed Zurai, has told Sunday Vanguard the reasons why the Nimbo massacre in Enugu State was carried out in 2016.
Zurai stated that the killing took place as a reprisal for the beheading of one Alhaji by assailants in Nimbo.
Zurai made the disclosure to Sunday Vanguard during an undercover operation in Enugu Correctional Center where he is waiting for the hangman’s noose.
Recall that on April 25, 2016, no less than 40 persons were murdered in Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State. The only person who was convicted for the mass murder, Mohamed Zurai, has confessed to his participation in the crime.
Speaking to Sunday Vanguard, Zurai said he was complicit to the crime to the extent of video recording the killings. He maintained that he did not kill anyone.
Recall that Justice Anthony Onovo of the Nsukka Division of Enugu State High Court had, on May 17, 2023, pronounced the death sentence on him.
“The murderer was among five suspects arraigned on May 9, 2017. They were charged for the mass murder in Nimbo on April 25, 2016.
“They were charged with murder contrary to Section 274 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Vol II of the Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
“Zurai was the prime suspect whose cell phone was found to have recorded the Nimbo killings.
“Delivering judgment on the matter on May 17, 2023, Justice Onovo said, “In all, the only person who has been shown to have participated in the killing at Nimbo community on 25/4/2016 is the 1st defendant, Mohammed Zurai.
“He is hereby, convicted as charged.
“The 2nd defendant (Alhaji Ciroma Musa) and the 3rd defendant (Sale Adanmu) not having been found guilty are hereby discharged and acquitted.”
But Zurai said, that they were many that went for the operation. That he used his phone to do a video recording of the killings. And his image also appeared in the video as a selfie.
Zurai revealed that sponsors of the killings wanted to eliminate him while in prison custody. He, therefore, alleged that some persons were offered N300,000 to kill him. He said, the sponsors does not want me to live to tell the story of what happened. But that the request was turned down.
Zurai, therefore, stated that there were over 20 that carried out the operation. He denied killing anybody at Nimbo but said he was behind his colleagues. He maintained that his only job was to record the killings.
Zurai wondered why he was the only one convicted. While his friends who were arraigned with him also participated in the operation were set free.
According to Sunday Vanguard, Zurai pleaded for the telephone number of the reporter so that he could communicate with him. This is as the reporter promised to get him a lawyer to appeal his death sentence.
source: Vanguard.
