Residents of Banga village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been plunged into mourning following the brutal killing of 38 kidnapped villagers by bandits, despite the payment of over ₦50 million in ransom.
Chairman of Kaura-Namoda LGA, Mannir Haidara Kaura, confirmed the incident, revealing that 56 people were abducted from the community, but only 18 were eventually released.
“The 18 who returned have been taken to the hospital for treatment. We’re also working with the state government to visit the families of those killed,” he said.
A resident, Ibrahim Banga, recounted that the attack occurred several months ago, with the bandits initially demanding ₦1 million per captive. Despite the community’s efforts to raise and deliver the ransom, only 18 victims were released.
According to Banga, the freed hostages revealed that the remaining 38 captives were executed—slaughtered one by one during their captivity.
He appealed to both the federal and Zamfara State governments to deploy more military personnel to the area, saying this would help restore peace, facilitate the return of displaced persons, and rescue those still in captivity.
In a separate development, Nigerian Army troops, in collaboration with hybrid forces and supported by intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS), reportedly neutralized at least 45 terrorists on Friday evening in Iburu village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Security sources told The Telegraph that DSS operatives had intercepted intelligence indicating that dozens of bandits on motorcycles were advancing toward Iburu and nearby villages. The alert enabled troops to mount a successful ambush.
A fierce gun battle ensued, resulting in the deaths of at least 45 terrorists. Villagers later counted over 40 bodies at the scene, and several motorcycles used by the assailants were destroyed.
However, the operation was not without losses. Two members of the hybrid force were killed, and four others sustained serious gunshot injuries. They are currently receiving treatment at a public hospital in the state capital.
