Bandits Kill 38 Hostages in Zamfara After ₦50m Ransom Payment
Residents of Banga village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been plunged into mourning after 38 kidnapped villagers were brutally murdered by bandits, despite the payment of over ₦50 million in ransom.
Confirming the incident to Channels Television, the Chairman of Kaura-Namoda LGA, Mannir Haidara Kaura, revealed that 56 persons were abducted during the attack, of whom only 18 were released. He added that the freed victims are currently receiving medical treatment.
“From the information I received, 56 people were abducted, and only 18 returned. We took them to the hospital, and they are currently undergoing treatment,” Kaura said. “We are also preparing, alongside the state government, to visit the families of those who lost their lives.”
A resident, Ibrahim Banga, said the community was attacked months ago and 53 people were taken. The kidnappers demanded ₦1 million per hostage, prompting residents to raise the ransom through collective efforts.
Despite delivering the ransom, only 18 captives were released. According to Banga, the returned victims recounted how the remaining hostages were slaughtered one after the other by the bandits during their captivity.
He called on both the federal and Zamfara State governments to intensify military operations in the area to restore peace, enable displaced persons to return home, and rescue any surviving captives.
Meanwhile, in Niger State, Nigerian Army troops, supported by hybrid forces and intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS), reportedly killed at least 45 bandits on Friday evening in Iburu village, Shiroro LGA.
Security sources said DSS intelligence revealed that terrorists on motorcycles were advancing to attack Iburu and surrounding villages. A swift military response led to a fierce gun battle in which dozens of motorcycles were destroyed and at least 45 bandits were neutralised.
Two members of the hybrid force were killed, while four others sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment at a public hospital in the state capital.
