A devastating tragedy has unfolded in Banga village, Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where bandits have killed 35 kidnapped residents over their failure to pay a N35 million ransom. The victims were among 53 villagers abducted several months ago, with the bandits demanding N1 million per captive. Only 18 of the kidnapped victims were released after paying the ransom, while the remaining 35 who couldn’t pay were brutally slaughtered one after the other.
According to a resident of the village, Sani Suleiman, the released victims recounted the horrific experience, saying the bandits killed the remaining captives in their presence. Suleiman appealed to the state government to intervene and deploy security personnel to the area to prevent further attacks and protect the inhabitants. “We are calling on the state government to come to our aid and deploy security personnel to the area before the inhabitants flee to other places for safety,” he urged.
The Zamfara State Government has confirmed knowledge of the incident and has deployed mobile police to protect lives and properties in the village. However, the Special Adviser to Governor Dauda Lawal on Security Matters, Ahmed Danmanga, lamented the inadequacy of security personnel, which hampers their efforts to provide maximum protection against banditry. “We are working round the clock to ensure that the people of the state are given maximum protection against banditry and other criminal activities. We are, however, handicapped due to the inadequate number of security personnel,” Danmanga explained.
The incident has left the village in grief, with residents living in fear of the bandits who have effectively taken control of the area. The villagers have appealed to both the Federal and Zamfara State Governments to take urgent action to restore security and bring relief to the region. The situation highlights the ongoing security challenges in Zamfara State, where bandits frequently raid villages, abduct residents for ransom, and impose levies on communities.
The local government chairman, Hon. Mannir Mu’azu Haidara, has pledged to work with relevant authorities to address the security issue and prevent future occurrences. He also appealed for support and resources from both state and federal governments to help the community recover and rebuild.
