Bandits in Zamfara State have rejected a N3 million ransom offered for the release of 26 individuals abducted from Gidan-Goga village, Maradun Local Government Area.
Abubakar Shehu, a villager whose three daughters are among the captives, revealed this on Monday.
He clarified that 26 people, not 50 as some media outlets had reported, were abducted during the attack. The group includes 19 females and six males, with one of Shehu’s daughters preparing for marriage before she was taken.
“We raised N3 million to offer the bandits, but they rejected it,” Shehu said. “When we told their leader the sum, he rejected us as not serious and turned off his phone. Since then, we have been unable to contact him.”
Shehu reported the situation as follows: “On Sunday, robbers raided our village and abducted 26 people, all of them are my neighbours. They contacted us for a ransom, but did not specify the sum demanded.”
The community, which has faced repeated attacks, remains on edge. Shehu noted that the bandits operate from a camp near the village and have been a constant threat.
Despite having reported the event to local security officials, no action has been taken. “We notified the security personnel, but nothing has been done. “This is not the first time our village has been attacked,” he explained.
Many villagers have fled Gidan-Goga owing to regular bandit raids, but some, such as Shehu, have stayed since they have no other options.
