Nigeria's Kidnappers Execute 35 Hostages Despite Ransom Payment

Wed Oct 22 2025 21:40:38 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Devastating violence continues in Nigeria as kidnappers murder hostages even after ransom is paid.

Kidnapping incidents have tragically plagued Nigeria's northern regions, illustrating the dire circumstances surrounding abduction and ransom situations. Recently, in Zamfara state, a troubling case unfolded where kidnappers executed at least 35 hostages after a ransom was allegedly paid for their freedom. Local officials reported that the gunmen had previously abducted 56 individuals from Banga village, demanding a ransom of approximately one million naira per victim.

The chairman of the local government, Manniru Haidara Kaura, expressed heartbreak over the brutal deaths, stating that many of the victims were young and had been "slaughtered like rams." After negotiations, 18 captives, including 17 women and a young boy, were released. However, the families are left grappling with the deaths of their loved ones and the grim reality that the bodies of those killed—totaling at least 38—are unlikely to be returned.

Despite the government enacting laws in 2022 aimed at curbing this rampant crime, including making ransom payments punishable by long prison sentences, families continue to feel compelled to pay due to a lack of safety measures implemented by authorities.

This spate of violence highlights the ongoing struggle against organized criminal activities in Nigeria, underscoring the desperate need for resolutions and an effective response to ensure the safety of all citizens.