Communities in Kaduna and Niger states have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the abduction of two district heads, Sani Shekarau and Abdullahi Usman, who have been held captive by a terrorist group for the past four months.

Despite the payment of over N100 million as ransom to the kidnappers, led by Kachalla Halilu and Kachalla Gudale, the captors are still demanding more money and motorcycles.

The district heads are reportedly being held in the same camp and are believed to be in poor health due to ongoing torture.

In a letter addressed to the President and copied to governors Senator Uba Sani and Muhammad Bago of Kaduna and Niger states, respectively; Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Lawal Usman; and the House of Representatives member for Birnin-Gwari/Giwa Federal Constituency, Bashir Usman, the communities urged the authorities to mobilise security forces to secure the release of the district heads and end the ongoing reign of terror in the region.

The communities in the letter, which was sent through the Birnin-Gwari-Niger Inner Boundary Community Union for Peace and Development, implored the recipients to “use your authority to rescue our district heads and restore hope to our communities.”

The communities stressed the immense pain and suffering endured by the families of the abducted district heads, who are still waiting for their loved ones to be returned safely.

“It is with utmost distress and anguish that we recount the harrowing tale of our esteemed traditional ruler, Alhaji Sani Shekarau, District Head of Kakangi of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, who has been held captive by armed bandits for a staggering four months now,” Ishaq Kasai, Chairman of the union, wrote in a letter addressed to President Tinubu.

“Despite the payment of about N100 million in ransom, they remain trapped in the clutches of these ruthless perpetrators, with no end in sight to their ordeal.”

The communities appealed to President Tinubu, through the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to take immediate action to rescue the district heads and others held captive by bandits.

They urged the mobilisation of additional security forces to the Kaduna/Niger/Zamfara inter-boundary axis, where the bandits operate freely.

The kidnappers have reportedly collected over N100 million as ransom from the families and are still demanding additional tens of millions and about 15 Honda motorcycles worth over N30 million.