Bandits kill ransom bearer after delivering N16m in Kaduna

Abba, a 27-year-old man, has been killed by bandits in Kaduna State after delivering a ransom of N16 million and three motorcycles to secure the release of nine abductees in Jere town.

On April 16, 2024, bandits raided several homes in Unguwar Iya, Jere, kidnapping nine residents and demanding a N30 million ransom in exchange for their release.

According to security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, local resident Shuaibu Hussaini confirmed on Wednesday that Abba had indeed been killed.

Hussaini said, the incident happened last Saturday when Abba, who had been negotiating the ransom, went to hand over the N16 million and three motorcycles to the bandit leader at a designated location.

Hussaini recounted that after receiving the ransom, the bandit leader tied Abba up and shot him.

“It was one of the released victims who revealed that the bandit leader claimed Abba was killed for being rude during the ransom negotiations,” Hussaini said.

The family of one of the hostages learned about Abba’s fate when they asked about his whereabouts after delivering the ransom, and the bandit leader directed them to a specific location to retrieve his body.

The tragic killing of Abba has left his family and the entire Jere chiefdom in a state of mourning.

The Kaduna State Police Command has not released a statement regarding the incident.