Bandits release 11 kidnapped Kaduna villagers, k!ll two after over N40m ransom payment and four months in captivity

Bandits release 11 kidnapped Kaduna villagers, k!ll two after over N40m ransom payment and four months in captivity

Bandits have released the kidnapped members of the Gidan Waya community in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State after over N40m ransom payment.

Gunmen stormed the community on November 11, 2025, k!lling four residents and abducting 13 others- five men and eight women.

LIB reported that elders of the community had earlier cried out to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani to urgently intervene in their plight, saying that after paying N40 million as ransom demanded by terrorists, they refused to release the victims.

According to the Chairman of the Elders Forum, Mallam Rabo Sambo, inhabitants of the community sold more than 3,000 bags of maize to raise N40 million demanded by kidnappers, yet the 13 abducted villagers remained in captivity weeks after the ransom was paid.

A community leader, Dan Azumi Meshach, who confirmed the development said the victims regained freedom on March 29, 2026.

He however, revealed that two of the victims were killed in captivity.

According to him, churches, families, and communities once again came together to raise the additional ransom paid to the bandits.

“We give thanks to God for the release of our people, though we sadly lost two brothers, Mallam Ibrahim Bagobari and Mr. Habib, who were k!lled by these wicked individuals,” he wrote.

“While we waited for their return, the kidnappers demanded an initial ransom of 40 million, and when it was paid, they refused to release them, asking for more money.

“The churches, families, and communities worked hard to raise the additional funds, but they st!ll killed our brothers.

“But we affirm that our God is a living God, watching everything and knowing all. The perpetrators will face consequences for their evil deeds.

“They will never have peace and will experience restlessness in their lives until they return to God Almighty.

“We are truly grateful to God for the remaining people who have returned and are receiving treatment. We pray that God continues to comfort us all and heal those in the hospital.

“To those who collaborate with such people and betray us, we urge you to stop and repent. If not, you will face the consequences.

“You may think you are prospering by loving the world, but your end will come, and it will be in hell. What is the benefit of gaining the whole world if you lose heaven? It is a waste of time.

“Our Lord God, Yahweh, will continue to fight for us. The battle is spiritual, starting in the spiritual realm before manifesting physically.

“The devil uses people, even among us, to achieve his purpose. This encourages us to know our position in Christ and fight both spiritually and physically. When we conquer spiritually, the physical becomes easier.

Brethren, continue praying for God to intervene in these trials. May He strengthen and protect us for success in both realms. For our brethren who passed, we believe they are resting with Lord Jesus. Though it’s not easy, their rest is a comfort.

“It was God’s plan for them to leave this way, and with our prayers, He will comfort us and their families. He will raise helpers for them, as seen with Job, whose trials ended in encouragement. So shall it be.”