Bandits are allegedly demanding N40 trillion in ransom before the 16 people kidnapped from the Gonin Gora area of Kaduna can be released.
According to a community leader, John Yusuf, the bandits contacted the victim’s family and also demanded 11 Hilux vans and 150 motorcycles.
On February 28, 2024, bandits killed two residents of Anguwan Auta in Gonin Gora and kidnapped several others.
This led to residents of the area, on February 29 mounting road block on the Kaduna-Abuja highway for hours to protest against the killing and abduction.
“The bandits have contacted us. They are demanding N40 trillion, 11 Hilux vans, and 150 motorcycles for the release of the 16 people they are holding captive,” Yusuf said.
“Where are we going to get this kind of money? Even if we sell the entire community, we cannot raise N40 trillion. Even Nigeria as a country has never made a budget of N40 trillion.”
Yusuf stated that the kidnapping incident happened twice within a four-day interval.
He said the communities in Birnin Gwari are surrounded by bushes that serve as hideouts for the bandits.
Also, he added that the establishment of a military base would tackle the criminal operations in the area.
