Tragedy in Zamfara: 35 Hostages Killed Despite Ransom Payment

Edited By: Tendai Zola

In a horrifying escalation of violence in northwest Nigeria, armed kidnappers have executed 35 villagers in Banga, a rural community in Zamfara State, despite receiving ransom payments meant to secure their release.

The victims, abducted in March 2025 from the Kauran Namoda Local Government Area, were among 56 hostages taken by criminal gangs commonly referred to as “bandits.” These heavily armed groups have increasingly relied on mass kidnappings for ransom, exploiting the weak presence of state authorities in isolated regions.

Local officials confirmed that the families of the hostages had complied with the kidnappers’ demands, paying 1 million naira (approximately $655) per person. Despite this, only 18 individuals, mostly women and one young boy, were released over the weekend. The remaining 35 captives, many of them young men, were reportedly executed. “They were slaughtered like animals,” lamented Manniru Haidara Kaura, the chairman of the local government. “We tried to meet their demands, but these criminals showed no regard for human life.”

Sixteen of the freed individuals are currently being treated for trauma and physical injuries in local medical facilities. Authorities noted that the recovery of the victims’ bodies is unlikely, as the gangs rarely return the remains of those they kill.

This tragedy has once again drawn attention to Nigeria’s deepening security crisis and the apparent ineffectiveness of recent legislation aimed at curbing the ransom economy. Under a 2022 federal law, both the payment of ransom and the act of kidnapping carry harsh penalties—including a minimum of 15 years in prison for those paying ransoms, and the death penalty for kidnappers if victims die. Yet, no convictions have been reported under the law to date.

Families, however, argue they have little choice. In the absence of timely security interventions and with a fragile justice system, many communities view ransom payments as the only means of saving lives.

Human rights defenders and local leaders are now urging a comprehensive national strategy, including better intelligence operations, stronger rural protection programs, and accountability for perpetrators.

As Nigeria continues to battle widespread insecurity, the massacre in Zamfara serves as a chilling reminder of the human cost borne by its most vulnerable citizens.