In a chilling incident in Zamfara state, Nigeria, kidnappers have murdered at least 35 individuals they had previously taken hostage from Banga village, despite ransoms being paid for their release. Local officials report that in March, 56 people were abducted as part of a growing trend where criminal gangs, colloquially known as bandits, resort to kidnapping for financial gain.
The bandits demanded a ransom of one million naira (approximately $655) per hostages, with the local government chairman, Manniru Haidara Kaura, detailing the horrific outcome: most of those killed were young individuals, described as being "slaughtered like rams." Out of the 56, 18 hostages, including 17 women and one young boy, were released after the ransom payment was negotiated.
While families risk everything to secure the release of their loved ones due to the government's failure to provide safety, they face a grim reality. The bodies of those who were killed are rarely returned, while injury reports indicate that many of the released victims are now hospitalized.
In an effort to combat this escalating kidnapping crisis, Nigeria enacted a law in 2022 criminalizing ransom payments, with penalties including up to 15 years in prison, yet there have been no arrests under this legislation. Furthermore, the law stipulates the death penalty for kidnappers in cases resulting in fatalities, but families remain trapped in a desperate cycle, often feeling they have no choice but to pay ransoms.
The bandits demanded a ransom of one million naira (approximately $655) per hostages, with the local government chairman, Manniru Haidara Kaura, detailing the horrific outcome: most of those killed were young individuals, described as being "slaughtered like rams." Out of the 56, 18 hostages, including 17 women and one young boy, were released after the ransom payment was negotiated.
While families risk everything to secure the release of their loved ones due to the government's failure to provide safety, they face a grim reality. The bodies of those who were killed are rarely returned, while injury reports indicate that many of the released victims are now hospitalized.
In an effort to combat this escalating kidnapping crisis, Nigeria enacted a law in 2022 criminalizing ransom payments, with penalties including up to 15 years in prison, yet there have been no arrests under this legislation. Furthermore, the law stipulates the death penalty for kidnappers in cases resulting in fatalities, but families remain trapped in a desperate cycle, often feeling they have no choice but to pay ransoms.
