KADUNA COMMUNITY SELLS 3,000 BAGS OF MAIZE TO RAISE N40M RANSOM, VICTIMS STILL HELD. (PHOTO).

 Kaduna Community Sells 3,000 Bags Of Maize To Raise N40m Ransom, Victims Still Held

Leaders of Gidan Waya community in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State have disclosed that they sold more than 3,000 bags of maize to raise the N40 million ransom demanded by kidnappers, yet 13 abducted residents remain in captivity weeks after payment.

Addressing journalists in Kaduna on Monday, Chairman of the Elders Forum, Mallam Rabo Sambo, said the community was attacked late at night on November 11, 2025, when armed men invaded the area, killing four people and abducting 13 others—five men and eight women.

Sambo explained that the incident occurred between 11 p.m. and midnight while residents were asleep.

“We suddenly heard gunshots, and before we could react, the bandits had already surrounded the settlement. Because our community is enclosed, they were able to ambush us easily,” he said.

He added that four residents were killed during the attack, while five others sustained gunshot wounds.

“This is the first time such an incident has happened here. We have always lived peacefully, without any form of crisis,” Sambo noted.

According to him, the attackers could not be identified as they wore masks throughout the operation.

Sambo revealed that in January 2026, the kidnappers contacted the community and demanded N40 million for the release of the victims. He said the community was forced to sell its food reserves to raise the money.

“To pay the ransom, we sold over 3,000 bags of maize. When the trailers arrived to evacuate the maize, there was crying everywhere. Once the money was raised, it was delivered directly to the kidnappers,” he said.

Despite the payment, the abducted villagers have not been released.

“It has been three months since they were taken. As I speak, none of them has returned,” Sambo lamented.

He said the community decided to speak publicly because it was unclear whether the Kaduna State Government or the Lere Local Government Council was fully aware of their situation.

“We don’t know if His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, or our local government chairman has been properly informed. That is why we are reaching out through the media,” he explained.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Lere, who reportedly visited the community several times after the attack, Sambo appealed for urgent intervention from both the state and federal governments.

“We are appealing to the state government, the local government, and Governor Uba Sani to help secure the release of our people.

We also ask the governor to seek support from the federal government,” he said.

Beyond the trauma of the abduction, Sambo said the community is now grappling with hunger after selling off its grain reserves.

“Having sold our food to pay ransom, we are now struggling to feed our families,” he said, urging the government to provide food assistance while the community awaits the safe return of the kidnapped residents.

Describing the situation as devastating, Sambo said the entire community remains in mourning and fear.

“Everyone is in tears. We are suffering, and our people are still in captivity,” he said.