Gunmen throw Zamfara into mourning, Kill 33 Kidnap Victims after Collecting N50m Ransom

Blood baying gunmen have thrown Banga town in Kaura Namoda Loval Government Area of Zamfara State as the murdered 33 kidnapped victims in cold blood.

The purveyors of death were said to have been led by a notorious bandit kingpin known as Dan Sadiya, and they had abducted over 50 residents from the community.

Residents, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the bandits later released 17 of the  hostages, mostly women, after collecting a N50 million ransom.

“He kills even after collecting ransom, and if payment is delayed, he executes hostages without hesitation,” a resident said.

“In Banga alone, he kidnapped over 50 people and killed 33. Only 17 returned after the ransom was paid.”

Another resident revealed that the killings happened over several days while families struggled to raise the amounts demanded by Dan Sadiya and his murderous gang.

Survivors said Dan Sadiya spared only women and children but executed most of the male captives even after the ransom had been paid.

“After nearly two months, we were told he had killed all the men. Only the women were allowed to return,” said a distraught survivor.

In a separate attack in Yamutsawa, another village in the LGA, residents said the same gang kidnapped 40 people, killed nearly half, and sent a decapitated head back to the village as an ominous message.

“He also blocks roads from time to time, abducting villagers trying to make a living,” the resident added.

Aisha Isa Kaura, whose husband was among those killed, said the presence of security personnel had done little to stop the attacks.

“Despite the presence of soldiers and other agencies,” she said, “the bandits still operate freely in Kaura Namoda. Yesterday, we couldn’t sleep because we feared another attack.”

Another resident, Ahmed Sani, said locals felt safer with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) than the military.

“They (CJTF) help in fighting the bandits, and whenever people see them, they feel more at ease,” he said.