Insecurity: We’ve spent N100m on ransom, vigilantes, Zamfara community cries out

By SHEHU UMAR, Gusau

Residents of Nahuche community in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Sunday staged a peaceful protest in Gusau, demanding authorities to as a matter of urgency beef up security in the community over incessant attacks by armed men.

The protesters, who were at the Government House, were led by a former chairman of Bungudu LGA, Musa Abdullahi Manager.

He said attacks on the community and kidnapping for ransom had become a daily affair.

“In the past three years, the community has suffered about 12 attacks with many people killed or kidnapped. About N100 million was paid as ransom and for taking care of vigilantes. But the assaults on the community continue unabated.

“The criminals invaded the community and abducted some people and N5 million was paid as ransom. But they refused to release the captives. Instead, they demanded for two new brand motorbikes again.

“As the negotiations were going on, the armed men returned and kidnapped eight more residents and they are yet to demand for ransom. We have about 13 people with the bandits and we implore authorities to rescue them,” he said.

He said a businessman, Alhaji Hadi Babban Gebe, was abducted recently and the bandits demanded N35 million.

He said the captive was killed after the armed men collected the money.

“Many people are deserting the community because of the unending attacks despite the residents’ huge investment in security as many vigilantes were recruited. We are demanding for permanent deployment of security forces to the community.

“We have acknowledged the efforts of both the state and federal government in tackling security challenges, but the case of Nahuche community calls for serious attention, otherwise, the whole community will be deserted in near future,” he warned.

The spokesman for the state Police Command, SP Muhammad Shehu could not be reached for comment at the filing of this report. (Daily Trust)