Kidnappers in Nigeria Slaughter 35 Hostages After Ransom Payment

At least 35 hostages were murdered by kidnappers in northern Nigeria, even after ransoms were paid for their release, highlighting the ongoing crisis of abductions for ransom in the region.

In an alarming incident in Nigeria's Zamfara state, kidnappers have taken the lives of at least 35 individuals they abducted from the village of Banga, according to local officials. This gruesome act occurred despite the payment of ransom to secure their release. The rampant criminal activity, often attributed to groups referred to as bandits, has plagued northern Nigeria, where abduction has become a common source of income for these gangs.

In March, a total of 56 individuals were kidnapped from Banga village. The gunmen demanded a ransom of one million naira (equivalent to about $655 USD or £485 GBP) for each hostage. Local government chairman Manniru Haidara Kaura shared with the media that most of the deceased were young individuals who were “slaughtered like rams.”

The official reported that, after negotiations, a portion of the ransom was paid, resulting in the release of 18 hostages—17 women and one young boy—on Saturday. However, the fate of the 38 individuals who were not released remains tragically sealed, as the bodies of victims are seldom returned to their families. Sixteen of those freed are currently hospitalized while receiving necessary medical care.

This heartbreakingly senseless violence continues amidst the backdrop of a 2022 law aimed at combating kidnapping by imposing harsh penalties on ransom payments and death sentences for abductors when victims die. Nonetheless, the lack of enforcement and arrests under this law leaves families feeling compelled to pay ransoms in the absence of government protection for their loved ones.

This latest episode sheds light on the severe and heart-wrenching complexities of the kidnapping crisis gripping Nigeria, where the interplay of crime, fear, and desperation continues to wreak havoc on communities.