By Erewunmi Peace

In a horrifying turn of events, armed bandits have killed 38 captives in Zamfara State, despite collecting a ransom of ₦50 million from families and community members.

According to multiple reports, the victims were among over 50 individuals abducted in Banga village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area. The hostages included women, children, and the elderly. The kidnappers had demanded ₦1 million per person for their release.

A total of 18 people were eventually freed, but the remaining hostages—some of whom had spent weeks in captivity—were brutally murdered. Among the deceased were infants born during captivity, who reportedly died due to malnutrition and lack of medical care.

Community sources say that despite fulfilling the ransom demand, the bandits reneged on their promise and executed the captives in cold blood.

“We did everything they asked. We sold farmlands, borrowed money, and rallied the entire village. Yet they still killed our people,” a grieving community leader told reporters.

Security forces are said to be investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made as of the time of this report. The Zamfara State Government and relevant security agencies are yet to issue an official statement.

This tragedy highlights the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest, where kidnappings for ransom have become alarmingly frequent, and rural communities remain at the mercy of heavily armed criminal gangs.

Key Facts:

Location: Banga village, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State

Ransom Paid: ₦50 million

Hostages Killed: 38

Survivors Released: 18

Perpetrators: Armed bandits, identities unknown

This incident adds to the growing list of atrocities committed by non-state actors in northern Nigeria and calls into question the effectiveness of current security measures.