Nigerian abductors kill hostages despite ransom, officials report

2025, July 30

Nigeria

On Monday, officials in Zamfara, Nigeria said abductors had slain over thirty hostages in the Banga village. TRT reported the killings occurred despite a ransom of tens of thousands of dollars being paid. Reports put the death toll at 33 or 35.

The hostages were "slaughtered like rams," according to Manniru Haidara Kaura, chairman of the local government there. She added that most of those killed were young. She said, "Only they [the gunmen] know why they killed them. They are senseless and heartless people. They forget that they are killing their own brothers, and we will all meet before Allah."

The individuals reportedly abducted between 51 and 56 victims in February, according to differing reports, and Haidara said eighteen hostages were released.

According to the BBC, the government made it a criminal offense to pay ransoms in 2022, which the outlet said was intended to disrupt what it called a "spiralling and lucrative kidnapping industry." The BBC also reported that as of 2025, no arrests have ever been made in connection with those charges.