Tragic Aftermath: 35 Lives Lost Despite Ransom Payment in Nigeria Kidnapping

In northern Nigeria’s Zamfara state, kidnappers have allegedly murdered 35 hostages, even after receiving ransom payments for their release. This event highlights the ongoing threat posed by criminal gangs, further revealing the challenges faced by families and the state in combating rampant kidnapping.

 

In a devastating development from Nigeria's northern Zamfara state, it has been reported that at least 35 kidnapped victims were executed despite their families paying a ransom. Local government chairman Manniru Haidara Kaura stated that these tragedies occurred after gunmen kidnapped 56 people from Banga village in March. The kidnappers demanded about one million naira (approximately $655 or £485) per hostage.

After some negotiation, families managed to pay the ransom, leading to the release of 18 individuals, predominantly women and a young boy, over the weekend. However, the grim fate of the remaining hostages has left the community reeling. "What happened was unexplainable. They were slaughtered like rams," Kaura lamented, expressing disbelief at the brutal actions of the kidnappers.

The families of victims often find themselves with no choice but to comply with ransom demands, as Nigeria's laws, enacted in 2022, penalize ransom payments and impose severe sentences for abduction cases—despite these laws being largely unenforced. The reality remains that many feel abandoned by a government struggling to provide adequate security.

Among those released, 16 individuals were hospitalized from injuries sustained during their captivity. Unfortunately, the bodies of the deceased victims are rarely returned, leaving families to mourn without closure. As the kidnapping crisis continues to escalate in Nigeria, the painful consequences of these heinous acts demand urgent attention and action from both the government and the international community.