Kidnappers in Nigeria Kill 35 Hostages Despite Ransom Payment

In a shocking and disturbing incident, kidnappers in Nigeria's northern Zamfara state have killed at least 35 people they abducted from a village, despite receiving ransom payments from the families of the victims.

According to reports, the kidnappers demanded one million naira ($655) per captive from the Banga village in Kauran Namoda local government area, where 56 people were taken in March. After receiving the ransom, the kidnappers released 18 people, including 17 women and one young boy, but brutally killed 35 others, mostly young people.

Local government chairman Manniru Haidara Kaura described the incident, saying, "Most of those killed were young people who were slaughtered like rams." He expressed frustration and sadness over the incident, questioning the kidnappers' motives and adding, "Only they know why they killed them. They are senseless and heartless people."

Sixteen of those released are receiving treatment in the hospital, while the bodies of the 38 killed are unlikely to be returned to their families, as corpses are rarely released in such cases.

This incident highlights the growing concern over kidnapping in Nigeria, where criminal gangs, known as bandits, have taken to abducting people for ransom. According to SBM Intelligence, 3,620 people were abducted in 582 incidents between July 2022 and June 2023, resulting in at least N5 billion in ransom demands.

In an attempt to curb the kidnapping industry, a law was enacted in 2022 making it a crime to make ransom payments, punishable by at least 15 years in jail. However, no one has been arrested under these charges, and families often feel forced to pay ransoms to save their loved ones, citing the government's inability to ensure their safety.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that Nigerians paid N2.23 trillion in ransom to kidnappers in 12 months, highlighting the scale of the problem. Unfortunately, this incident is not an isolated case, as kidnappers have been known to kill their victims even after receiving ransom payments.

Source: BBC News/Lead News Online