Bandits in Kaduna have demanded N40 trillion and other items as ransom to release the 16 residents who were kidnapped from the Gonin Gora area.
A community leader identified as John Yusuf revealed that the bandits contacted the victims’ families and requested 11 Hilux vans and 150 motorcycles as part of the ransom.
Yusuf also mentioned that the bandits have attacked the community twice in one week, resulting in the abduction of several residents.
“The bandits have contacted us. They are demanding N40 trillion, 11 Hilux vans and 150 motorcycles for the release of 16 people they are holding captive,” Yusuf told TheCable.
“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.
“The abductions happened twice within four days interval. During the first attack, three people were kidnapped while in the second attack, 13 people were abducted bringing the total number of people being held captive to 16.”
He mentioned that the communities in Birnin Gwari are surrounded by bushes which serve as hideouts for the bandits.
Yusuf pointed out that setting up a military base would help address the criminal activities in the area.
“We are pleading with the government to come to our aid by establishing a military base behind our community where the bandits take advantage of the bushes to invade our community,” Yusuf said.
“From our community down to Birnin Gwari which is over 150 kilometres is a stretch of bush. We also have another stretch of bushes from Gonin Gora down to Niger state.
“So when the criminals have free access through the bushes to our community. We are pleading with the government to help us.
“The army are really trying, despite the fact that they are seriously overstretched. Whenever we make distressed calls they come.
“But the problem is that before they reach the community, the bandits would have done what they wanted and left.”
