Kidnappers have demanded two brand new Bajaj motorcycles after collecting N10 million in ransom from the families of 19 abducted victims of Kudiri village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Daily Trust had reported that bandits on October 30, 2023, invaded the village and whisked away 23 villagers, including two children of a pastor in the community.
However, four of the victims escaped after their abductors dozed off at their den.
Among those abducted and still being held are Ayuba Joseph, Josiah Daniel, Fatima Musa, Thomas Iliya, Christopher Yari, Justina Ishaku, Gladys Sarki, Alheri Josiah, and Dorcas Daniel.
Others include Awaje Daniel, Fada Ishaku, Salvation Yohana, Lucky Thomas, Kamilu Mai Shayi, Sandra Yohana, Hassan Lucky, Fallalu Abubakar, Sharon Thomas, and Hannatu Thomas.
Speaking over the phone with our reporter on Thursday, December 8, 2023, a relative of one of those kidnapped, identified as Abdullahi, said the bandits’ leader had insisted that the victims’ families purchase two new motorcycles for them before they would be released.
He said it was unfortunate that the demand came despite the victims’ families and relatives’ struggles to contribute for a month to raise the N10 million demanded by the bandits.
“This is over a month now that the victims have been in captivity. And the family had to struggle to raise N10 million for the ransom, but they insisted that they must also bring two new motorcycles to them before they will release them,” he said.
The Kudiri village chief, Wakili Iliyasu, who spoke with our reporter over the phone, confirmed that a N10 million ransom was paid to the bandits.
“And as I speak to you, the bandits are again demanding two new motorcycles before they will release the victims, who have been in captivity for over a month now,” he said.
He appealed to the relevant security agencies to come to the aid of the families of the victims in order to rescue those kidnapped, even as he urged for a military base to be set up in the area.
