The British High Commission has expressed shock and condemnation over the killing of 38 kidnapped hostages in Zamfara State, despite the payment of more than ₦50 million ransom to their abductors.
It was earlier reported that residents of Banga village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State were thrown into mourning after 38 kidnapped villagers were gruesomely murdered by bandits, despite the payment of 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 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 newsmen that the bandits had invaded the community months ago and took away dozens of people.
The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Gill Lever, speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, described the incident as a “horrible kidnap”, lamenting that only 18 of the abducted victims were released while the rest were murdered.
“Very frankly, I want to express my condolences to the people of Zamfara State over that horrible kidnap where even when ransom was paid, only a few people were released and others murdered,” Lever said.
She described the crime as unspeakable, stressing that kidnapping continues to cause devastating effects on communities and the nation’s economy.
“It damages people’s mental health and physical well-being, retards economic progress and all the other things that we know well. We must bring an end to this. We must stop this. We must limit this,” she added.
“My condolences to the people of that state, and to the affected people and to their families and their friends. This is what we want to try and stop.”
