What Deadly Bandits Did To 140 Farmers Over Ransoms That Amazed Everyone

No fewer than 148 farmers from Kuchi, an agrarian community in Munya Local Government Area (LGA), Niger State, have been held captive for 53 days following a devastating raid by bandits on May 24, 2024. ..Read Full Article

Over 100 bandits carried out the abduction, targeting farmers, including pregnant women and children, and have since demanded a ransom for their release. Abdulmalik Iliyasu, speaking to Daily

Trust, expressed profound anguish over the situation, disclosing the tragic deaths of some captives.

Survivors revealed that the bandits callously collected ransom payments before notifying families of these losses.

The bandits demand N2 million and a Honda motorcycle for each captive. We are farmers, and without access to our farms, we have no means to raise such sums, lamented Iliyasu.

He also revealed that local informants had worsened negotiations by divulging information about affluent families, leading to higher ransom demands.

Communities like Kapana, Wuloto, and Godan are also grappling with the crisis of residents held in captivity, further intensifying the region’ s distress.

The district head of one affected community underscored the pervasive fear among farmers, exacerbated by threats from bandits and the loss of livestock during raids. Residents urgently appealed for government intervention, emphasizing the need to secure the Dan-Gunu riverbank, a critical entry point for bandits from Kaduna State into Munya LGA. They urged authorities to facilitate their return to farming, crucial for their livelihoods and community stability.

SP Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, assured ongoing efforts in collaboration with the military. He highlighted a coordinated operation spanning Niger and Kaduna states aimed at rescuing the abducted farmers and restoring peace to the troubled region.. Residents of Kuchi and surrounding communities are living in a state of constant fear and uncertainty. The absence of the kidnapped farmers has not only affected agricultural activities but has also disrupted the social fabric of these communities. Many families are left without their primary breadwinners, and children are missing their parents, leading to a deepening humanitarian crisis.

The abduction has also highlighted the broader issue of security in the region. Bandits have continued to exploit the lack of adequate security measures, and their operations have become more brazen. The local population, already struggling with the economic impact of banditry, faces additional challenges in meeting the ransom demands.

The situation has drawn attention to the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms and increased support for rural communities. While the government and security agencies. have pledged to address the crisis, the effectiveness of their interventions remains to be seen.

The affected communities are calling for more than just immediate rescue operations. They demand long-term solutions that will ensure their safety and enable them to resume their agricultural activities without fear of future attacks. This includes better policing, intelligence gathering, and community engagement to address the root causes of banditry. As the days go by, the hope for the safe return of the kidnapped farmers.

remains a flickering light in a region overshadowed by violence and insecurity. The resilience of the Kuchi community and their determination to overcome this crisis will be crucial in the days ahead.