From Maryam Ahmadu-Suka, Kaduna
Elders of Gidan Waya community in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State have said they sold more than 3,000 bags of maize to raise the N40 million ransom demanded by kidnappers, yet 13 abducted villagers remain in captivity weeks after the payment.
Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna yesterday, Chairman of the Gidan Waya Elders Forum, Mallam Rabo Sambo, said gunmen invaded the community on November 11, last year, killing four residents and abducting 13 others—five men and eight women.
Sambo said the attack occurred between 11 p.m. and midnight, when most residents were asleep.
“We suddenly heard gunshots, and before we could understand what was happening, the bandits had surrounded the settlement. Our community is a closed area, so they easily ambushed us,” he said.
He added that four people were killed during the raid, while five others sustained gunshot injuries.
“This is the first time we are experiencing such an attack. We have always lived peacefully here. There has never been any crisis among us,” Sambo said.
According to him, the attackers could not be identified as they operated with face masks throughout the operation.
Sambo said this month, the kidnappers contacted the community and demanded N40 million for the release of the abducted villagers.
“To raise the ransom, we sold over 3,000 bags of maize. When trailers came to load the maize, the entire community was in tears. As soon as we gathered the money, it was taken straight to the kidnappers,” he said.
Despite paying the ransom, Sambo lamented that none of the abducted villagers had been released.
“It has been three weeks since the ransom was paid. None of our people has returned,” he said.
The elders, he explained, decided to go public after realising that the Kaduna State government and the Lere Local Government Council might not be fully aware of their plight.
“We don’t know whether Governor Uba Sani, or even our local government chairman has been properly briefed about what happened to us. That is why we are appealing through the media,” he said.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Lere, who reportedly visited the community several times after the attack, Sambo called for urgent intervention by the state and federal governments.
“We are appealing to the state government, the local government, and Governor Uba Sani to help us secure the release of our people. We also urge the governor to reach out to the Federal Government for assistance,” he said.
Beyond the abduction, Sambo said the community is battling hunger after selling off its grain reserves to pay the ransom.
“After selling our food to free our people, we are going hungry. We can no longer adequately feed our families,” he said, appealing for food assistance.
He described the situation as heartbreaking, saying the community has been plunged into mourning, fear, and uncertainty.
“Everybody shed tears. We are suffering, and our people are still in captivity,” he said.
