Banga village in Zamfara State’s Kaura Namoda Local Government Area is reeling from tragedy after armed bandits slaughtered 35 kidnapped villagers, even though the community paid a ransom exceeding ₦50 million.
According to reports, 56 residents had been abducted in a raid several months ago, with bandits demanding ₦1 million per person. Only 18 captives were released after ransom was collected, while the remaining 35 captives were brutally executed one by one in the presence of the survivors. Survivors recounted the horrifying witnesses of this mass killing, sparking widespread grief across the affected community.
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Reports further revealed that Banga village was currently under the control of the bandits and appealed to the state government to intervene.
He said, “We are calling on the state government to come to our aid and deploy security personnel to the area before the inhabitants flee to other places for safety.”
Local officials confirmed the incident: the Kaura Namoda Local Government chairman, Mannir Haidara, acknowledged that the released victims were receiving medical care, and noted that the community had effectively fallen under bandit control. He appealed to federal and state authorities for urgent intervention to restore security and support displaced residents.
The Special Adviser to Governor Dauda Lawal on Security Matters, Ahmed Danmanga also confirmed knowledge of the incident but said he could not verify the number of those killed.
He stated, “I am aware that the bandits have killed some residents of Banga village, but I don’t know the exact number of people killed.
“As I am talking to you now, we have deployed mobile police to protect the lives and properties of the people of the village.
“Zamfara State Government is working round the clock to ensure that the people of the state are given maximum protection against banditry and other criminal activities.
“We are, however, handicapped due to the inadequate number of security personnel,” Danmanga concluded.