Nigeria kidnappers kill 35 hostages despite ransom received
A devastating incident has occurred in Zamfara state, Nigeria, where kidnappers have killed at least 35 people they abducted from a village, despite receiving ransom payments for their release. According to local official reports, the incident took place in March when 56 people were taken from Banga village, Kauran Namoda local government area.
The gunmen demanded a ransom of one million naira ($655; £485) per captive, which was reportedly paid for some of the hostages. However, despite receiving the ransom, the kidnappers killed a significant number of the abductees. Local government chairman Manniru Haidara Kaura described the incident, stating that most of those killed were young people who “were slaughtered like rams.”
After negotiations, 18 people, including 17 women and one young boy, were released on Saturday. Unfortunately, 16 of those released are currently receiving treatment in the hospital. The bodies of the 38 killed by the bandits are unlikely to be returned, as in these cases, corpses are rarely released. Haidara expressed his frustration, saying, “Only they [the gunmen] know why they killed them. They are senseless and heartless people. They forget that they are killing their own brothers, and we will all meet before Allah.”
Residents reported that three pregnant women who were among the hostages gave birth while in captivity, but all the newborns died due to lack of care. Survivors recounted being forced to witness the brutal killing of fellow hostages before being allowed to leave the forest. These accounts highlight the traumatic experiences of the abductees and the inhumane treatment they faced.
The Zamfara government condemned the killings, calling them “barbaric and cowardly.” In a statement, the government declared that such atrocities added to its resolve to wipe out terrorism from the state. The government assured the public that the killers would be brought to justice and urged the people to remain united and vigilant. The government also shared the sorrow of the grieving families and prayed for their strength and healing.
In an attempt to curb the spiraling and lucrative kidnapping industry, a law was enacted in 2022 making it a crime to make ransom payments. The law carries a jail sentence of at least 15 years and makes abduction punishable by death in cases where victims die. However, despite this law, families often feel forced to pay ransoms to save their loved ones, citing the government’s inability to ensure their safety. To date, no one has been arrested under these charges, raising questions about the effectiveness of the law in addressing the issue.
