Residents of Banga village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been thrown into mourning after 38 kidnapped villagers were gruesomely murdered by bandits, despite the payment of over ₦50 million as ransom.

The Chairman of Kaura-Namoda LGA, Mannir Haidara Kaura, confirmed the tragedy on Monday, stating that 56 villagers were initially abducted during the raid.

Kaura told Channels Television that only 18 victims were released after weeks in captivity.

He said: “From the information I got as the Chairman of the local government, 56 were abducted by the bandits and only 18 returned.

“We took the remaining 18 people to hospital, they are on medication. We are also preparing to go with the state government to go and see the families of those that lost their lives.”

He noted that the released individuals are currently undergoing treatment, while arrangements are underway to console bereaved families.

A resident of the village, Ibrahim Banga, earlier told Channels Television that the bandits had invaded the community months ago and took away dozens of people.

“They demanded ₦1 million per hostage,” Banga said.

“After several weeks, the community managed to raise and deliver over ₦50 million to secure their release.”

Shockingly, the kidnappers only released 18 people, and the rest were reportedly slaughtered one after the other during captivity.

“Upon their return, the freed victims recounted how the bandits had slaughtered the remaining 35 abductees,” he added.

The villagers are now calling on the federal and Zamfara State governments to deploy military operations to the area to restore peace, enable the return of displaced persons, and rescue any remaining captives.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation, troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by hybrid forces and intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS), neutralised no fewer than 45 bandits in Iburu village, Shiroro LGA, Niger State.

According to security sources, the operation took place Friday evening, following intelligence reports that terrorists on motorcycles were advancing to attack several communities.

“The DSS alerted soldiers on standby, and a fierce gunfight broke out,” one source disclosed.

Villagers reportedly counted over 40 bandit corpses and dozens of motorcycles destroyed during the battle.

However, the military also suffered losses. Two members of the hybrid force were killed, while four others are receiving treatment for serious gunshot injuries in a public hospital.

The military authorities have yet to release an official statement on the Shiroro operation as of press time.