Community leaders in Gidan Waya, located in the Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have expressed deep sorrow as bandits have yet to release 13 villagers abducted, despite a ransom payment of N40 million. The situation has led to severe food shortages and despair among residents.
The Chairman of the Gidan Waya Elders Forum, Mallam Rabo Sambo, made the revelation at a press conference held on Monday, January 26, 2026, in Kaduna.
Sambo explained that during a brutal raid on the community on November 11, 2025, armed assailants struck between 11 p.m. and midnight, leading to pandemonium as gunshots echoed through the night.
"We heard the gunfire and before we could react, the bandits had encircled our community," he recounted.
He noted that the nature of their settlement, being close-knit, allowed for a swift ambush by the attackers.
Sambo reported that four villagers lost their lives in the assault, while five others sustained gunshot wounds and were immediately taken to hospitals for emergency care.
Thirteen people, comprising five men and eight women, were forcefully taken by the bandits to an undisclosed location.
“This kind of attack is unprecedented for us; our community has always been peaceful," he remarked, emphasizing the shock of the incident.
The community leader also mentioned that the attackers concealed their identities with masks, complicating any identification.
In January 2026, the bandits reached out to the villagers, demanding a ransom of N40 million for the release of the captives.
“To meet their demand, we had to sell over 3,000 bags of maize. The sight of our community members crying as trailers loaded the maize was heartbreaking," Sambo recalled.
He pointed out that this maize was intended to sustain families throughout the upcoming months, and selling it left them with nothing.
"Now, after exhausting our food reserves to pay the ransom, we are facing hunger and cannot provide for our families," he stated, highlighting the community's dire situation.
Sambo explained that the ransom was delivered promptly after being raised in hope of the immediate release of the captives.
"As soon as we secured the funds, they were sent straight to the kidnappers," he noted.
Regrettably, weeks after the payment, none of the kidnapped individuals have returned home.
“It has been over two months since their abduction, and none have been released even as I address you today," Sambo lamented.
He expressed concern that the elders opted to go public with their plea as they were unsure if the Kaduna State Government or Lere Local Government Council had been adequately informed about the situation.
“We are unaware whether Governor Uba Sani is informed about our predicament, which is why we're reaching out through the media,” Sambo shared.
While he acknowledged the visits from the Divisional Police Officer in Lere, he urged state and federal authorities for immediate action to secure the release of the still-captive villagers and to provide food relief.
“Our people remain in captivity, and for those at home, life has become unbearable. There are tears all around us. We are engulfed by fear and hunger,” he concluded.
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