In Zamfara State, North West Nigeria, residents of Nahuche community besieged Government House, Gusau demanding governor Bello Matawalle’s intervention in some of the people that have been held captive by bandits.
The angry residents revealed that 13 members of their community are in captivity having been abducted by bandits.
Musa Abdullahi who led the protest to the Government House revealed that the community has suffered more than 13 attacks; paid over N250 million, yet they would not have rest from bandits’ attacks.
Speaking on casualties, Mr Abdullahi said the community has lost over 50 persons in the last two years as a result of the attacks, while he pleaded for the governor to intervene for the release of those being held.
“The situation has remained the same, despite spending over N200 million on ransoms and settling vigilantes,” he said.
Abdullahi, a former chairman of the Bungudu Local Council, said five of the abductees had been held by the bandits for the past 33 days.
He noted that the sum of N5 million ransom was paid for the five abductees yet the bandits refuse to release them but demanded for two Boxer Motorcycles, which were yet to be met.
“While working to meet the fresh demand of the motorcycles, the bandits, again, stormed the community and kidnapped another eight persons.
“They are yet to communicate or make another demand from the community; we are waiting,” he said.
The former chairman said the community of over 300,000 people was about to be deserted as the gunmen attacked the village frequently killing people at will.
“We have acknowledged the efforts of both State and Federal Government in tackling the security challenges, however, Nahuche community needs urgent intervention to prevent the town from being deserted.”
