The governor of Zamfara State has vowed to dismantle the terrorist networks responsible for the “barbaric” acts
At least 38 people abducted from a village in Nigeria’s northern Zamfara State have been murdered by kidnappers, local broadcaster Channels Television reported on Monday. The killings reportedly occurred despite the payment of more than 50 million naira (around $33,000) in ransom to secure their release.
The victims were among 56 people taken from Banga village in Kauran Namoda earlier this year, local government chairman Mannir Haidara Kaura told the outlet. The BBC also said they were kidnapped in March.
“We took the remaining 18 people to hospital. They are on medication. We are also preparing to go… and see the families of those that lost their lives,” the official stated.
A resident identified as Ibrahim Banga told the outlet that 53 villagers were taken hostage when bandits raided the community months ago. He said the kidnappers demanded around $660 per person, and after weeks of effort, the community raised and delivered the money, but only 18 hostages were ultimately released.
“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,” he said, according to Channels Television.
The authorities in Zamfara have condemned the “inhuman killings of innocent captives” and vowed to “crush” the terrorist networks responsible for the “barbaric” acts in the state.
“The government will not rest until every criminal involved in these atrocities is captured or neutralized,” Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal said in a statement.
The state government said it has implemented measures to address the security crisis in the region, including the deployment of Community Protection Guards to enhance rapid response and intelligence-driven operations.
Nigeria has long been plagued by kidnappings conducted by criminal gangs and terrorist groups operating across the West African nation. The trend drew global attention in 2014, when Boko Haram militants abducted hundreds of schoolgirls from Chibok village in Borno State.
More than 130 children and staff were kidnapped from a school in northern Kaduna State in March 2024 but were rescued by the army days later.
