Zamfara bandits mock government after killing 38 despite ransom payment

Tragedy struck in Banga village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, as bandits killed 38 kidnapped residents despite receiving a ₦50 million ransom, local officials confirmed on Monday.

Chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government, Mannir Haidara Kaura, disclosed that a total of 56 people were abducted in an attack by gunmen. Following the ransom payment, only 18 hostages were released.

He described the incident as one of the worst tragedies to hit the area in recent memory.

“This is one of the saddest incidents we’ve witnessed in this local government. The victims paid ₦50 million, yet 38 of them were killed,” Kaura said, adding that the released captives were immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.

A resident of the community, Ibrahim Banga, recounted that the victims were mostly women and children. He said the attackers had demanded ₦1 million per hostage after abducting 53 villagers several weeks ago.

“After the ₦50 million was raised and delivered to the bandits, only 18 people were released. The remaining victims were slaughtered one after the other during their captivity,” he said.

The released victims are currently receiving medical care, according to Ibrahim, who also called on both the federal and state governments to act urgently.

He appealed for the deployment of military forces to Banga and surrounding areas to restore peace and prevent further attacks.

The mass killing underscores the worsening security crisis in Zamfara, where communities continue to face frequent raids, mass abductions, and violent extortion by armed groups.