In a troubling development in Kaduna State, bandits holding nine villagers hostage in the Kuyambana community of Kauru Local Government Area have refused to release their captives, despite the payment of a ₦30 million ransom more than a month ago. The hostages, who were kidnapped in late October 2025, are still being held in captivity, with the bandits now demanding an additional ₦20 million and several motorbikes in exchange for their release.
The Abduction: A Violent Raid on Kuyambana
The ordeal began on October 23, 2025, when a group of heavily armed bandits stormed the village of Kuyambana between 11 a.m. and noon. The attackers fired their weapons indiscriminately, instilling fear among the villagers, before proceeding to raid homes and abduct 10 residents. According to the village head, Mr. Zaka Paul, the bandits initially targeted his house, knocking aggressively on the door and demanding entry. When Paul questioned the assailants, they began to insult him in Hausa, calling him derogatory names and threatening to harm him if he did not comply.
Paul managed to escape through a back door, but his younger brother, along with eight other villagers, was taken by the bandits. The captives included both men and women, with ages ranging from young adults to middle-aged individuals. The bandits initially reached out to the community, demanding ₦100 million for the release of the hostages. After negotiations, the ransom was reduced to ₦30 million.
The Ransom Payment and the Continued Captivity
On December 22, 2025, after weeks of fundraising and community contributions, the ₦30 million ransom was personally delivered by Mr. Zaka Paul to the bandits’ commander, known as “Yellow Mai 1 Million,” at a remote location near Kabudu Forest in Kachia Local Government Area. However, despite the payment, the captives were not released. Instead, the bandits imposed new conditions, demanding an additional ₦20 million and several motorbikes before they would consider freeing the hostages.
Paul expressed frustration and despair over the situation, explaining that the community and the families of the victims had already exhausted their resources to raise the initial ₦30 million. Many villagers had to sell their farm produce and personal belongings just to meet the first ransom demand. With the new, unrealistic demands, the community is left in a dire financial situation, unsure how they can raise the additional funds.
The Hostages and Their Plight
The identities of the hostages have been disclosed, and they include Anthony Gambo (37), Sule Sogiji Maigari (53), Makuka Joshua (30), Regina Nehemiah (26), Bako Bagobiri (26), Solomon Barnabas (28), Lamech Ishaku (22), Kabiru Ishaku (21), and Kaninzu Maitala (21). At least three of the victims are young orphans, further highlighting the heart-wrenching nature of the abduction.
The captives are being held in the Idon area of Kachia, a known stronghold for bandits. The location is remote and difficult to reach, making it even harder for authorities to intervene and rescue the hostages. The community has raised concerns about the physical and psychological toll the prolonged captivity is having on the victims, particularly the young orphans who are already vulnerable.
The Struggle for Help and Government Response
Despite the dire situation, the community’s efforts to seek help from various authorities have yielded little progress. Mr. Paul has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, and local government officials, urging them to step in and help secure the release of the villagers. However, he has expressed frustration with the lack of action, noting that the police, military, and local political leaders are aware of the situation but have failed to take concrete steps to resolve it.
“We have made several reports to the police, the military, and the local government, but there has been no meaningful action,” Paul lamented. He emphasized that the bandits are emboldened by the apparent lack of government intervention and continue to make demands with impunity.
Mr. Paul further explained that the community had initially refrained from making the abduction public, hoping that complying with the bandits’ demands would lead to the safe release of the hostages. However, with the fresh ransom demand and the continued suffering of the victims, the community felt it had no choice but to speak out.
The Role of Local Leaders and the Impact on the Community
The tragedy has been compounded by the realization that even local religious and community leaders have been unable to persuade the authorities to take more aggressive action. A group of religious leaders in the area has called on the government and security agencies to intervene, urging them to take more direct steps to address the situation.
Martha Bardwell, a local pastor, voiced her frustration, stating, “The community has been left to fend for itself, with little support from the authorities. The local leaders have made their calls for help, but there is a sense of helplessness.” Bardwell stressed that the bandits’ actions were becoming more brazen, and the lack of a firm response from the government was only emboldening them further.
The Economic Strain on the Community
Beyond the emotional and psychological toll on the families of the victims, the financial strain on the community is becoming increasingly untenable. Many families have already sold off their farms, personal property, and livestock to raise the initial ransom. The additional demands for ₦20 million and motorbikes are far beyond what the community can realistically raise.
Mr. Paul explained that the community is at a breaking point. “We’ve already exhausted everything we have. We are appealing to the government to intervene and end this nightmare for our people. These are innocent civilians, and they deserve to be brought home safely,” he said.
The situation in Kuyambana is emblematic of the broader challenges facing rural communities in Kaduna State, where banditry and kidnapping for ransom have become increasingly common. The lack of a coordinated and effective response from the government has left many residents feeling abandoned and vulnerable.
A Call for Urgent Government Action
As the hostages continue to endure their captivity, the community’s hope for a resolution rests on the intervention of the state and federal governments. Mr. Paul and the families of the victims are urgently calling for immediate action to ensure the safe return of the nine abducted villagers. Without swift intervention, the situation in Kuyambana is likely to escalate further, with more communities in Kaduna State and beyond facing similar threats from armed bandits and kidnappers.
