Bandits in the Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna State on Thursday, released six hostages after receiving 20 mudu (measures) of rice, 20 mudu of beans, 25 litres of red oil, 25 litres of groundnut oil, and recharge card of N10,000 as ransom.
The gunmen thereafter reportedly killed a farmer and abducted 20 persons from their farms in the Jangali and Kwaga communities of Birnin-Gwari.
Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressive Union BEPU’s chairman, Ishaq Usman Kasai, on Thursday, said the bandits told some farming communities to pay 12 million as levies before they would harvest their crops.
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Kasai, in a statement, said;
“The four people of Unguwan Liman who were kidnapped on Saturday and one at Unguwan Shekarau were released yesterday Wednesday after payment of 2 million and N500,000, respectively.
“Five farmers kidnapped on Thursday 15/9/2022 at Kurgin Gabas and Sabon-Layi areas have luckily escaped from the kidnappers’ den after spending a week in captivity.
“Regrettably, a farmer was killed at Shiwaka community on Tuesday 27/9/2022 after being tied to a tree; and more than 20 people were kidnapped on Wednesday 28/9/2022.
“The bandits informed some farming communities including Kwaga, Kwanan-Shehu, Unguwan Liman and Unguwan Shekarau to pay levies of N12 million to be allowed to continue harvesting their crops.
“These communities were given until Friday (today) toto meet the conditions, failing which they would kidnap any person found at a farm. The Union found that these helpless communities have started making contribution based on farm size to meet the condition and the dateline.”
