Bandits wreaking havoc in Nigeria’s beleaguered North West zone have released 70 out of 85 victims abducted from Wanzamai village of Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara state.
Recall that the victims were kidnapped three weeks ago on farmlands. They are mostlyresidents of Wanzamai, a community that had suffered series of bandits’ attacks in the past.
Within Nigeria had reported on Friday that the family of the victims paid another N3 million to secure the release of the abductees but the bandits reneged on their promise of freeing the the victims after ransom payment.
According to aresident, Sani Aliyu, 70 out of the 85 victims were freed Friday night.
Aliyu said the victims are looking skinny and sick due to lack of food.
However, fifteen of the abducted persons are still been held by the bandits.
“The armed men had agreed to release the children after N6 million ransom was paid to them. Earlier, they refused to free the captives after N3 million was paid. They demanded that two brand new motorbikes must be bought for them” Daily Trust quoted him as saying.
“The armed criminals shot dead two teenagers trying to escape. The released children are looking pale and fatigued. There are about 15 children still with them and we don’t know the reason for holding them.
“Some parents cried when they saw the terrible condition of their children. They look emaciated because of starvation and hunger. The freed victims are currently receiving medical attention,” he said.
The spokesman of the state police command, CSP Muhammad Shehu, could not be reached for comment