A community in Gidan Waya, Yarkasuwa, Saminaka, in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has appealed to Governor Uba Sani for urgent intervention to secure the release of 13 residents kidnapped by bandits despite the payment of a ₦40 million ransom.
The Chairman of the Elders Forum of the community, Mr. Rabo Sabo Jantsauni, made the appeal while addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, describing the situation as dire and heartbreaking.
Mr. Rabo Jantsauni recalled that bandits invaded the community on November 11, 2025, killing four persons, injuring five others, and abducting 13 residents.
Mr. Jantsauni said the abductors initially demanded a ₦300 million ransom, an amount the community could not afford.
He explained that residents were eventually forced to sell about 3,000 bags of assorted grains to raise ₦40 million, which was handed over to the bandits.
However, he lamented that more than three weeks after the payment, the abducted persons have not been released.
He added that the bandits returned to the village on January 7, 2026, and abducted two Fulani women.
Appealing through the media, Jantsauni urged Governor Uba Sani to intervene urgently, noting that it was unclear whether the state or local government authorities were fully aware of the community’s plight.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Lere, who reportedly visited the area several times after the attacks, he called for stronger intervention from both the state and federal governments.
Beyond the security challenge, he said the community is now battling hunger after selling off its food reserves to raise the ransom.
“After selling our food to pay ransom, our people are now going hungry. We can no longer feed our families,” he said, appealing for food assistance while awaiting the release of the abducted residents.
He described the situation as traumatic, adding that fear, grief, and uncertainty now dominate the community.
“Our people are still in captivity, and the entire community is in distress,” he said.
Mr. Rabo Jantsauni further revealed that the condition of some of the abductees has worsened in captivity, disclosing that one of the kidnapped women, who was pregnant at the time of abduction, reportedly delivered a baby girl in the kidnappers’ camp without any form of medical assistance.
He described the development as distressing, noting that fear, grief, and uncertainty continue to engulf the entire community as their loved ones remain in captivity.
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