Zamfara State has been plagued by recurring violent attacks, kidnappings, and killings, often attributed to armed bandits, leaving residents in a state of fear and insecurity.
By HARUNA AHMED, Gusau –
Community of Banga village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Zamfara State, is reeling from grief after bandits killed 38 kidnapped residents, even after receiving over ₦50 million in ransom, according to multiple reports.
Chairman of Kaura-Namoda LGA, Mannir Haidara Kaura, confirmed to newsmen that 56 villagers were initially abducted, with only 18 eventually released.
“The freed victims are currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital,” Kaura stated, adding, “We are working with the state government to visit the families of those who lost their lives.”
A local resident, Ibrahim Banga, told Channels Television that the bandits, who invaded the village months ago, had demanded ₦1 million per hostage. After weeks of desperate fundraising, the community delivered the ransom, but only 18 captives were freed.
“The survivors shared horrifying accounts of how the bandits executed the remaining 35 hostages one by one during their captivity,” Banga recounted.
Banga urged the federal and Zamfara State governments to intensify military operations in the area, stating, “Urgent action is needed to restore peace, bring back displaced residents, and rescue those still in captivity.”
*Nigerian Army, DSS-backed Hybrid Forces, kill 45 bandits in Niger State
In a separate development in Niger State, troops of the Nigerian Army and hybrid forces, backed by intelligence support from the Department of State Services (DSS), on Friday evening in Iburu village, Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA), killed no less than 45 bandits terrorizing the area.
NATIONAL ACCORD had earlier reported that the DSS, on intercepting intelligence that the terrorists riding several motorcycles were advancing to attack Iburu and neighbouring villages, quickly alerted soldiers on standby.
According to the sources, a gunfight ensued with the troops killing at least 45 terrorists. The sources quoted the villagers as saying they counted at least 40 dead bodies believed to be those of the bandits. They also counted dozens of the bandits’ motorcycles destroyed during the gunfight.
The sources added that two members of the hybrid forces fighting alongside soldiers lost their lives, while four others were said to be receiving treatment for serious gunshot injuries at a public hospital in the state capital.
Recall that In April, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, raised the alarm over terrorist activities around the Babanna border in Niger State.
The Customs boss said his men were lucky to have survived an ambush by the terrorists who were angered by the seizure by the Customs officers, of 500 jerrycans of petrol smugglers were delivering to them.
