- Bandits received ₦5m ransom for all 16 abducted residents.
- Only two captives regained freedom after payment.
- Community leader confirms bandits breached the deal.
- 14 victims still held as insecurity spreads across Kano North.
Tension has risen in several villages in Tsanyawa LGA after armed bandits freed only two of sixteen kidnapped villagers despite receiving the agreed ₦5 million ransom. The captors were expected to release all victims after days of negotiation with local representatives.
The village head of Yan Kamaye, Sunusi Abubakar, speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, said the abductors collected the money but failed to honour the agreement.
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“We provided the ransom, but the criminals released only two people without giving any reason for holding the remaining 14,” he said in frustration.
He further explained that the attack affected nine villages under his leadership.
“In my territory of over nine villages, they killed a woman and abducted 16 residents. Only two returned even after we paid ₦5 million, which was meant for their release,” Abubakar lamented.
Attempts to obtain comments from the Kano Police Command were unsuccessful, as spokesperson Haruna Kiyawa did not respond to calls from the newspaper.
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Although Kano has historically recorded fewer cases of kidnapping compared to other Northwest states, residents fear the situation is worsening. They believe criminal gangs displaced from Katsina State are crossing into remote communities after negotiating secret protection deals in neighbouring states.
Communities in Kano North, especially those close to the Katsina border, are now experiencing increasing displacement, night raids, and a rise in ransom-driven abductions.
