Fifteen days after bandits attacked Gidan Gizo in Kutunku village in Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State, the 19 locals abducted during the mayhem are yet to freed.
Kutunku, a suburb of Wushishi town, is a predominantly Gbagyi community located off Wushishi-Zungeru rail line.
Among those abducted are two would-be brides whose wedding was slated for March 18, six other women as well as 10 men, including the girls’ dad.
15 of the victims from one family
Fifteen of the abducted persons, our reporter learnt, belong to one family.
The head of the family, Alhaji Abdu Gidan Gizo, said the compound was populated by his immediate and extended families.
“They came and herded everyone away and I have not seen any member of my family since then,” he lamented.
Their abductors had initially demanded N200 million, but the community offered N3.5 million which the bandits turned down.
Alhaji Umaru Tanko Joji, whose house was also ransacked during the attack, told 21st Century Chronicle that the bandits said they would only accept N30 million before the victims are released.
He said the bandits are using torture to compel the community to pay the ransom.
“They made the victims talk to us on the phone where they narrated how they are being tortured by their abductors,” he explained.
Bandits abduct would-be brides, father
Mothers of the abducted would-be bride, Malama Mairo Alfa and Malama Talatu Alfa, said the wedding preparation was in top gear when the bandits struck taking their girls and father away, along with cash and items.
“It’s like the people had the foreknowledge that we were preparing for the ceremony, they took their time to ransack every section of the house while some held family members at gunpoint,” Malama Talatu said.
“We want our girls and husband back, help us beg (Governor Abubakar Sani Bello) Lolo to assist us in getting them back,” Malama Mairo pleaded amidst tears.
Bandits left mobile phone for us – Village head
The Ward Head (Mai Anguwa) of Old Kutunku, Malam Ibrahim Yusuf, said the attackers left behind a mobile phone and requested that it should be return to them when the ransom is being delivered.
“They threatened to return to retrieve the phone if the community failed to send to them,” the Mai Anguwa disclosed.
He said he has since reported the incident to the Dagacin (Village Head) of Zungeru, Alhaji Tanko Madaki, who in turn reported the matter to the Hakimi (District Head) of Kaduna District of Zungeru, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Agwai, and the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Wushishi Local Government Area.
He reechoed the appeal to the state government to come the aid of the community by initiating measures that would lead to the release of the captives like it did for the Kagara school boys and NSTA passengers.
No ransom for bandits – Governor
The Mai Anguwa’s request may be a tall dream as Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has since ruled out payment of ransom for exchange of abducted persons after the twin incidents of GSC Kagara and that of the NSTA.
The governor said it is not the policy of his government to pay bandits ransom as they use the money to buy sophisticated weapons and cause further harm. He also ruled out the possibility of peace deals involving cash for the same purpose.
However, nearly 300 people have been reportedly abducted in 35 incidents since the Kagara incident which has become the sore thumb of Bello’s administration and confirmed Niger as bandit’s stronghold after Zamfara, Kastsina and Kaduna states.
21st Century Chronicle recalls that the highest single abduction since the NSTA and Kagara incidences was the interception of 50 passengers along Wushisi-Tegina road and like that of Kuntuku, cloud of uncertainty still hovers over their whereabout.
Vigilantes to the rescue
To check the rising spate of attacks, Bello is considering the community- led approach by using the vigilantes who know the terrains to compliment the efforts of security agencies. Last week, the governor launched the corps operations in Mariga local government area where he promised to boost their morale.
Few days after the Mariga event, vigilantes foiled an attack on Gulu in Lapai local government area of the state, killing five bandits and arresting four others. But the Gulu feat has not stop the bandits in their tracks as attacks continue across communities with gales of abduction.
The chief press secretary to the governor, Mary Noel-Berje, said her principal has been working roud-the-clock in collaboration with security agencies to ensure that all abductors regain their freedom, while finding lasting solution to the menace of banditry.
