A group of bandits has refused a N3 million ransom offered for the release of 26 abducted residents from Kakidawa ward in Gidan-Goga district, Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State. The abduction occurred in the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Abubakar Shehu, a villager whose three daughters are among the kidnapped, confirmed the incident in an interview on Monday, December 9, 2024.
Clarifying earlier reports, Shehu stated that the actual number of abductees is 26, not 50 as some outlets initially claimed.
The victims include 19 women and seven men, one of whom is Shehu’s daughter, who was preparing for her wedding before her abduction.
“We managed to gather N3 million to negotiate with the bandits, but they outrightly rejected it,” Shehu lamented. “When we contacted their leader to inform him about the amount, he dismissed us, saying we were not serious, and then switched off his phone. Since then, we haven’t been able to reach him.”
Shehu recounted the ordeal, explaining that the bandits stormed the community, abducting the victims and leaving others in fear. He added that although the bandits demanded a ransom, they did not specify the amount required for the victims’ release.
This has worsened matters in Gidan-Goga, which has experienced repeated attacks from bandits. Many residents have fled the area, seeking refuge elsewhere, while others, including Shehu, have remained due to limited alternatives.
“The bandits have been a constant menace, operating from a camp close to our village,” Shehu disclosed. “Despite reporting this and previous attacks to security agencies, no action has been taken to address the threat.”
“This is not the first time our village has been attacked, and we feel abandoned by the government,” Shehu said.
