Ransom Paid, Lives Lost: 38 Hostages Killed in Zamfara Despite N50 Million Payout
After 38 abducted villagers were brutally murdered by bandits, even after more than ₦50 million was paid in ransom, the people of Banga village in Zamfara State’s Kaura Namoda Local Government Area were plunged into sadness.
The tragedy was confirmed on Monday by Mannir Haidara Kaura, the Chairman of Kaura-Namoda LGA, who said that 56 residents were initially taken hostage during the attack.
After weeks in detention, Kaura told Channels Television, just eighteen victims were freed.
As the local government’s chairman, he stated: “I was informed that 56 people were kidnapped by the bandits and that only 18 of them made it back.”
“The remaining 18 individuals are taking medication after we took them to the hospital.” Along with the state administration, we are getting ready to visit the relatives of those who died.
He said that although plans are being made to comfort grieving relatives, the released folks are currently receiving treatment.
Ibrahim Banga, one of the village’s residents, had told Channels Television that the bandits had broken into the area months prior and taken scores of members.
Read Also: Naira Goes Global Anew: Card Usage Freed Up as CBN Reforms Boost Foreign Exchange
“They asked for ₦1 million for each hostage,” Banga stated.
“The community was able to raise and deliver more than ₦50 million to secure their release after several weeks.”
Only 18 victims were shockingly freed by the kidnappers; the others were apparently killed one by one while in custody.
“When the rescued victims returned, they told us how the bandits had killed the other 35 kidnappees,” he continued.
In order to rescue any remaining hostages, facilitate the return of displaced people, and restore calm, the villagers are now urging the federal government and the state of Zamfara to send armed forces to the region.
A separate operation in Iburu village, Shiroro LGA, Niger State, saw the Nigerian Army’s troops, aided by hybrid forces and DSS intelligence, eliminate no fewer than 45 bandits.
Following intelligence information that terrorists on motorbikes were moving forward to assault many towns, the operation was carried out Friday evening, according to security sources.
One insider revealed that “a fierce gunfight broke out after the DSS alerted soldiers on standby.”
Villagers stated that the clash destroyed dozens of motorcycles and more than 40 bandit bodies.
The military did, however, also sustain casualties. Two hybrid force personnel were murdered, and four more are in a public hospital being treated for severe bullet wounds.
A formal announcement regarding the Shiroro operation has not yet been issued by the military authorities.
