Terrorists have issued fresh threats of revenge attacks on residents of Ungwan Nungu in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following a recent military operation that left two of their members dead and led to the recovery of an AK‑47 rifle, ammunition, and about ₦1.6 million.
Multiple community sources on Friday stated that 10 residents, six women and four men, were abducted from their farms on 29 November. The victims were seized while working on their farmlands, a trend that has become distressingly common in the area.
In a Hausa voice recording, the terrorists accused villagers of tipping off soldiers, who later ambushed their members during a ransom‑collection attempt.
“The voice note is from the terrorists who are threatening us after two of their members were suspected to have been killed,” a community member said.
According to sources, troops intercepted the gang on Friday as they attempted to collect ransom money from relatives of the abducted villagers. During the operation, soldiers reportedly recovered the rifle, one round of 9mm ammunition and cash believed to be a ransom payment.
Another resident recounted an earlier attack in Ungwan Nungu in which about 15 people, mostly children, were abducted.
“Zuberu Adiga (one of the victims) and four others were later abandoned because they were weak and could not keep up with the terrorists’ movement,” the source added.
In the audio recording, one of the terrorists vowed that the group would “retaliate” for the deaths of their men and the loss of the rifle.
“We thank you for what you have done for us. Is that why you sent soldiers to us?” the speaker said, accusing residents of betraying the group. “I swear to Almighty God, everything the soldiers did to us, we shall repay. If we are still alive, we will definitely retaliate.”
The speaker warned that the group would return after regrouping and claimed the community must pay for the seized AK‑47, threatening widespread attacks if their demand was not met.
“From next month, after we have fully prepared, we are coming back,” he warned. “They took one of our rifles, and only God knows how many lives will be lost because of that rifle—unless they pay us for it.”
He further threatened that farms, villages, roads and even security operatives would be targeted if the rifle was not paid for, giving the community a two‑month ultimatum.
In the same recording, a community representative insisted that villagers had no role in the military operation.
“I swear to God, we did not send soldiers to you,” he said, explaining that the military had already accused the villagers of withholding information about previous ransom arrangements. “They are blaming us, asking why we are communicating with you people and refusing to inform the security operatives.”
Residents of Ungwan Nungu now fear the terrorists’ promised retaliation, especially with farmlands, roads and surrounding settlements mentioned as potential targets.
