Bandits Kill 38 Hostages Despite Receiving ₦50 Million Ransom In Zamfara

About 38 kidnapped villagers have been killed by bandits, after a ransom of over ₦50 million was paid in Banga village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The people of Banga village are mourning the loss of 38 villagers who were kidnapped and later killed by bandits despite the payment of over ₦50 million as ransom.

Chairman of Kaura-Namoda LGA, Mannir Haidara Kaura, confirmed the incident in an interview with Channels Television.

According to him, the armed men initially kidnapped 56 people, but only 18 of them were eventually released.

Kaura said the released victims were taken to a hospital for medical care, adding that plans were underway, in collaboration with the state government, to visit the families of the victims who lost their lives.

He said, “From the information I got as the Chairman of the local government, 56 were abducted by the bandits and only 18 returned.

“We took the remaining 18 people to hospital, they are on medication. We are also preparing to go with the state government to go and see the families of those that lost their lives.”

A local resident, Ibrahim Banga, told Channels Television that the kidnapping happened months ago.

He said the bandits demanded ₦1 million for each hostage, stressing that after weeks of trying, the villagers managed to gather and deliver the money.

Banga, however, confirmed that despite meeting the kidnappers’ demands, only 18 hostages were freed.

“Upon their return, the freed victims recounted how the bandits had slaughtered the remaining 35 abductees, killing them one after the other during their captivity,” he said.

Banga appealed to both the federal and state governments to deploy military forces to the area.

He believes this is the only way to bring back peace, help displaced residents return home, and rescue those still in captivity.

KanyiDaily recalls that bandits also kidnapped several people, including a local councillor, Buhari Daudawa, in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.