Bandits release dehumanising video of 56 abducted Niger residents as an ultimatum for ransom

Bandits release dehumanising video of 56 abducted Niger residents as an ultimatum for ransom

Bandits have released a cry for help video made by 56 kidnapped residents of the Kaffin-Koro community in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to a report by DAILY NIGERIAN, the terrorists stormed Kaffin-Koro on May 10 and kidnapped 56 residents, who were mostly farmers and traders.

Some of the victims have been released after their families paid ransom to the terrorists.

A source whose relatives were recently released from abduction confirmed the payment of ransom by the family.

“We paid N7.5 million before our relatives were released on Monday”, the source who pleaded anonymity said.

In the videos released by the criminals, the captives were been brutalised by their captors with serious threats to kill them.

Some of the male abductors were bound in leg chains, while the female captives were left standing and surrounded by gun-wielding terrorists.

The terrorists who appeared in large numbers in the videos were all carrying AK-47 rifles.

In one of the videos, a bandit fired shots at the feet of a captive to demonstrate their seriousness.

Another terrorist was also seen pointing a gun at a woman who was pleading for help before he was prevailed upon not to fire by his accomplice.

An elderly, frail-looking man who was bound in leg chains was also seen foot-dragging in one of the videos.

The bandits were said to have issued an ultimatum to the victims’ families to pay the prescribed ransom or lose their loved ones.

A resident of Kaffin Koro who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the people of the community have been thrown into a panic mode since the release of the video.

“The video has gone viral and has been the subject of conversation in the community, but I couldn’t watch it because my sister was a victim until recently when she was released. A lot of people were able to identify their loved ones in the horrific video,” he said.

When contacted, the police public relations officer, in the state, Biodun Wasiu, said the police are working in collaboration with other security agencies and neighbouring states to rescue the victims.

“We are working with other security agencies, particularly the military, and we are in collaboration with other neighbouring states to ensure they are rescued from captivity,” Mr Abiodun said.

The chief press secretary to the state governor, Bologi Ibrahim, didn’t respond to an SMS sent to his line at the time of filing this report.