The N3 million levy that terrorists in Zamfara State imposed on the residents of Wanzamai village has been collected. 85 people had been abducted earlier, mainly women and children. However, even after receiving the payment, they refused to free the victims.
Abubakar Na,allah, a local, told Saturday PUNCH that the community last Wednesday paid the N3m ransom demanded by the bandits. He observed that rather than releasing the victims, the bandits claimed to the locals that the N3m was for the purchase of the two motorcycles that had been damaged by military personnel.
He stated, “We have taken the N3m to the bandits as earlier demanded but to our almost dismay, they collected the money and told us that it is for their two motorcycles that were damaged by the military personnel. We are now in a pathetic situation as we don’t know what to do next.â€
However, the state police command announced on Friday that it had freed nine people who had been kidnapped by bandits in Kucheri village in the state's Tsafe Local Government Area. Before being reunited with their families, the victims underwent a debriefing, according to the report.
Shehu said, “On April 13, 2023, Police Tactical Operatives successfully rescued nine hostages comprising seven females and two males who were abducted on April 11, 2023 at Kucheri village in Tsafe Local Government Area.
“The rescue of the victims was sequel to credible information obtained from a good Samaritan which the police used and successfully rescued the victims hale and hearty. The victims were debriefed by the police detectives and thereafter reunited with their families and relations.â€
Shehu claimed that Kolo Yusuf, the commissioner of police, congratulated the victims on regaining their freedom while assuring the public that a sustained offensive would be launched against the bandits and other criminal elements.