At least 40 out of the 150 residents abducted from the Kuchi community in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State have been freed by their captors.
According to The PUNCH, the released individuals were primarily women and children.
The community secured their release by paying N2 million and providing 12 Honda motorcycles to the bandits.
The hostages regained their freedom on Tuesday morning, with the motorcycles costing the community N1.2 million each.
However, 110 residents remain in captivity. According to reliable sources, the bandits have proposed releasing another 40 hostages if the community can deliver another N2 million and six more motorcycles.
Negotiations between the community and the hoodlums are still ongoing.
The Kuchi community was attacked three weeks ago by a large group of bandits who killed seven people, including four security agents.
They also looted shops, homes, and barns of farm produce. The attack lasted over three hours with no intervention from security forces, resulting in the abduction of at least 150 residents.
Initially, the bandits demanded N150 million for the release of the captives. The community attempted to negotiate a payment of N100,000 per person, which the bandits rejected.
“We have been negotiating with the bandits but finally they agreed to collect six Honda motorcycles and N2 million for the release of two groups totaling 40 in number,” a source revealed.
“The 150 people they abducted were divided into six groups, and they said we should bring six Honda motorcycles and N2 million cash for each of the groups. This is after they rejected our initial offer of N100,000 for each person. They have released two groups, remaining four groups.”
The source expressed frustration over the lack of security presence since the incident, stating, “Since the incident, no single government official or security agent has visited the community for on-the-spot assessment of what happened. The community is left without security at the moment and it has remained deserted.”
Other than the Local Goverment Chairman, Aminu Najume, who had previously confirmed the attack and abduction, there has been no official response from the government or security agencies.
Najume mentioned that the Council was not involved in the negotiations, which were strictly between the community and the bandits. He promised to verify the release and provide further details.
When contacted on Tuesday, the spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, also indicated he would follow up and report back.
“Ok, I will find out and get back to you,” he said.
However, as of the time of this report, Abiodun had not provided any updates.
