Bandits Murder 38 Hostages After Collecting ₦50 Million Ransom in Zamfara

Residents of Banga village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been plunged into deep sorrow and outrage after 38 villagers abducted by armed bandits were gruesomely killed, despite a ransom payment of over ₦50 million.

The shocking massacre follows months of trauma and desperation for the families of the victims, who had rallied to raise the demanded ransom in hopes of securing their loved ones’ freedom.

The incident, confirmed by local authorities and eyewitnesses, underscores the deteriorating security situation in parts of northern Nigeria, where criminal gangs continue to operate with alarming impunity.

Speaking exclusively to Channels Television, the Chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government, Mannir Haidara Kaura, revealed that 56 villagers were originally abducted from Banga community in a raid carried out by the armed assailants several months ago. According to him, only 18 of the hostages have returned alive.

“From the information I got as the Chairman of the local government, 56 were abducted by the bandits and only 18 returned,” he said. “We took the remaining 18 people to hospital, they are on medication.

We are also preparing to go with the state government to see the families of those that lost their lives.”

Local sources say the captives endured horrific conditions while in captivity. One resident, Ibrahim Banga, told Channels Television that the bandits initially demanded ₦1 million per hostage, amounting to a staggering ₦56 million.

He explained that after weeks of frantic efforts, the community managed to gather over ₦50 million and handed it over to the abductors as ransom.

However, despite fulfilling the criminals’ demand, the bandits reportedly executed 38 of the hostages in cold blood.

“Only 18 were released,” Banga recounted with anguish. “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. It was heartbreaking.”

The discrepancy in the reported number of those killed whether 35 or 38 has not yet been officially clarified, but both figures point to a massive loss of innocent lives.

The atrocity has sent shockwaves through the community, triggering widespread fear and renewed calls for urgent government intervention.

Residents, already traumatized by the incident, have either fled the area or are living in fear of further attacks.

Banga urged both the federal and Zamfara State governments to immediately expand military operations to the region to restore law and order, enable the return of displaced residents, and ensure that any remaining captives are rescued.

Security analysts say this latest massacre highlights the continuing challenges in tackling banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria’s northwest, despite repeated government assurances and military campaigns.

As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the Zamfara State Government regarding the killings, but local authorities confirm that efforts are underway to visit the affected families and provide humanitarian support to the released victims.

The tragedy adds to a long list of similar incidents across the region, as communities continue to bear the brunt of the country’s worsening insecurity.