Bandits free Katsina nursing mother and her twin children after N3.5m ransom payment; demand additional N1.5m to release 4-year-old son

Bandits have reportedly released a Katsina nursing mother and her newborn twins after payment of N3.5m ransom but her 4-year-old son is still in the abductors' custody.  LIB reported that Samaila Lilila and her children were abducted last month in Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State 34 days after she gave birth to the twins.  A resident of Kurfi told Daily Trust that the mother and twin children were released by their captors after the payment of N3.5m. However, her son, fondly called AK, is still in captivity as the bandits have asked for an additional N1.5m for his release.  According to the publication, Kurfi was hitherto more or less a fortified town as bandits hardly gained access due to the activities of local vigilante groups supported by some well-to-do members of the community.

However, that fortification was broken with the collapse of the vigilante group, with some residents blaming it on the political differences of some highly-placed individuals in the area. Another resident of Kurfi blamed some of the recent attacks on informants who migrated to the town when it was safer

13/09/2024 8:47 AM