- The victims were said to have been abducted when armed men invaded the rural Community a few months ago
A dark cloud of sorrow and agony has enveloped Zamfara State after the killing of 35 kidnapped villagers in Banga village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.
The victims, who were among the 53 villagers abducted several months ago, were murdered by bandits after the payment of ₦50m in ransom.
The victims were said to have been abducted when armed men invaded the rural community a few months ago.
A local, Lawali Muhammad Banga, confirmed the horrific incident to newsmen, adding that the assailants had demanded ₦1m per hostage.
After weeks of frantic efforts, the village was able to raise and deliver the ransom, in the hope that it would secure the safe return of their loved ones.
According to Lawali, only 18 captives were released. The freed victims, upon returning, narrated how the remaining 35 abductees were executed one by one in cold blood while in captivity.
“All we want now is to live in peace, to feel like free citizens and not slaves under the rule of heartless terrorists who neither fear God nor believe they can ever be crushed,” he was quoted by The New Telegraph.
Lawali also disclosed that Banga village is now effectively under the control of the armed group.
He said surrounding communities have been abandoned, as people flee recurring attacks that include killings, kidnappings, and sexual violence against those who resist the bandits’ dominance.
Lawali pleaded with the Federal and Zamfara state governments to as a matter of urgency, come to their aid
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