Bandits in Zamfara State have rejected N3m offered as ransom for the release of 26 abducted persons from Gidan-Goga village, Maradun Local Government Area.
An indigene of the village, Abubakar Shehu, whose three daughters are among the abductees, disclosed this on Monday in a phone interview with The PUNCH.
He clarified that 26 individuals were abducted during the attack, not 50 as earlier reported by some media outlets.
Shehu explained that the abductees, include 19 females and six males, with one of his daughters preparing for marriage before her abduction.
“We raised N3m to offer to the bandits, but they rejected it,” Shehu lamented. “When we informed their leader about the amount, he dismissed us, saying we were not serious, and then switched off his phone. Since then, we have been unable to reach him.”
Recounting the incident, Shehu said, “The bandits attacked our community on Sunday and took away 26 people, all of whom are my neighbours. They contacted us to demand payment for their release but did not specify the amount they wanted.”
The community, which has faced repeated attacks from the bandits, remains on edge. Shehu noted that the bandits operate from a camp near the village and have been a persistent threat for a long time.
He added that despite reporting the incident to security agencies in the area, no action had been taken.
“We have informed the security personnel in the local government, but nothing has been done to address the situation. This is not the first time our village has been attacked,” he said.
Many residents have fled Gidan-Goga due to the frequent bandit attacks, though some, like Shehu, have stayed behind due to a lack of alternatives.
Efforts to reach the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Shehu Dalijan, for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls.