Bandits Kill 38 Kidnap Victims in Zamfara After Collecting N50 Million Ransom

At least 38 kidnapped villagers, including one woman, have been killed by bandits in Banga Village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, despite the payment of over N50 million in ransom for their release.

The victims were part of a group of 56 persons abducted in recent months by the armed bandits, who demanded N1 million per person for their release.

A resident of the area, Aminu Musa Banga, revealed that only 18 victims were released alive, while the remaining 38 were brutally murdered by their captors.

“These bandits killed 38 of our men and one woman while they were in their custody. We received this report from 16 of our people who were released by these bandits,” Banga stated.

He added that the victims were slaughtered one by one after the ransom was paid, accusing the bandits of betrayal and barbarity.

Banga also lamented that Banga Village and its surrounding communities are now under the control of the bandits, forcing many residents to flee their homes for safety.

He called on the Federal Government and the Zamfara State Government to intervene urgently by deploying military personnel to the area to contain the bandits and restore normalcy.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Hon. Mannir Mu’azu Haidara, disclosed that the surviving victims were in critical condition due to injuries sustained from severe beatings during captivity. He said they are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Kaura Namoda.

“God willing, we will not be tired of continuing to take appropriate measures and working hand in hand with security agencies and the State Government under the leadership of Dr. Dauda Lawal, which is firmly committed to overcoming this problem of insecurity that plagues us day and night,” Haidara said.

However, the Zamfara State Police Command said it was unaware of the incident, stating that no official report had been filed with the command.

According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, such incidents should be promptly reported to security agencies to enable swift action.

Zamfara State has been one of the epicenters of armed banditry and mass kidnappings in northern Nigeria. Despite multiple military operations and peace initiatives, attacks on rural communities have persisted, leaving thousands displaced and hundreds killed in recent years.