Bandits Kill 3, Kidnap 22, Threaten To Kill Siblings, Newborn

Bandits in a fresh attack killed three and kidnapped 22 locals and farmers in Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna State.

Chairman of Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU) Ishaq Usman Kasai,  who made the disclosure in a statement said, on Saturday, 24th September, 2022 around 7:30pm, the bandits invaded Hayin Gada of Damari community in Kazage ward, killed two locals; Sanusi Zubairu and Kabiru Zubairu and kidnapped 12 persons and looted shops.

“On the same Saturday, another group of bandits killed 1 and kidnapped 6 persons at Farm Centre located around Birnin-Gwari/Kaduna Road, kidnapped 4 others at Dajin Jangali and seized 3 motorcycles (Bajaj Model) from farmers at Kamfanin Doka area,” the statement said.

BEPU observed with serious concern the way bandits continue to invade various communities and loot goods at shops unchallenged.

The chairman said the union will never relent in its continuous call on relevant authorities to intensify effort towards combating terrorist activities in Birnin-Gwari LGA especially at this early crop harvesting period.

Meanwhile, the bandits who kidnapped three sisters in Kaduna, including a pregnant housewife that eventually gave birth in captivity, have threatened to kill the hostages, including the new born baby, if the family fails to pay N50 million ransom in 48 hours.

The family of the captives disclosed this to journalists in Kaduna yesterday, crying out to government and good spirited Nigerians to come to their aid, as they have only been able to raise N6.5 million, which was rejected by the bandits.

LEADERSHIP had reported that the three sisters were kidnapped on July 17, 2022 in Mando, on the outskirts of Kaduna, at their family house where they were taking care of their sick mother.

It was however gathered that their mother, who could walk unaided before the kidnap of her three daughters, has now been confined to the wheelchair due to trauma.

A brother of the kidnapped victims, Kabir Yusuf who has been the one negotiating with the abductors, said he had begged the abductors and told them that the family had sold everything they had to raise N6.5 million, but the bandits rejected the offer.

He said, one of his sisters, Zainab who was heavily pregnant when they were kidnapped, gave birth in captivity without recourse to medical or human care for both mother and child, as they were subjected to harsh weather conditions eating and drinking whatever is available in the bandits’ den in the forest.

According to Yusuf, “Since the kidnap, we have been negotiating with them. The bandits initially demanded N140 million but we pleaded with them that we are poor people, so they reduced it to N100. We pleaded with them further and they later reduced it to N50 million and threatened that if we don’t have the N50 million ready, we should not call them again.

“My sisters lamented to me on Sunday that they were being mistreated, adding that the bandits commander wanted to leave the camp and may not return until after a while, so we should talk to them. But I told them that we have sold everything we have but what we raised is not tangible and we don’t have anything to sell again they started crying and I broke down weeping too.

“Now, the disturbing development is that, on Sunday, I spoke to the kidnappers. I pleaded with them to release my sisters and the new baby, that we have only been able to raise N6.5million, but, they started insulting me, they said if we don’t bring N50 million in the next two days, they will kill my sisters and the new baby.”