So far, 76 of the 87 individuals kidnapped at Kajuru Station, Tantau 2 Ward, Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, have been released from their captors after paying a ransom in cash, Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), and other commodities.
On March 18, 2024, bandits terrorising the state reportedly assaulted the area in commando style, taking 87 inhabitants with them until soldiers arrived on the fateful day.
Unfortunately, four of the kidnapped victims were killed in the bandits’ hideout, with two bodies released and two others missing, according to a trustworthy source in the area.
The source said: “In the last one week or so, 76 of them have been released after the community sold all they have, including seedlings for this planting season, to raise the ransom in cash, 10 jerry cans (25 litres each) of fuel and other items.
“Unfortunately, we could not have four of them back into the community alive. Elisha Dauji and Awolowo’s bodies were seen and taken at Kujeni and buried in Kajuru station. According to what the freed persons told us, Danbala Danjuma and one other person were killed in the kidnappers’ camp and their bodies were not found”.
The source further added that the bandits are still keeping the remaining seven people with them, demanding additional ransom.
“They kept the remaining seven people with them and demanded seven Honda motorcycles before they could release them. That is where we are now”, the source said.