3 Zamfara traders killed in kidnappers’ den

Three Zamfara traders, who were abducted on their way to Kano about three weeks ago, have reportedly died in kidnappers’ den.

They were among 13 traders from the Dansadau community, who were kidnapped while travelling in an 18-seater bus at Mashayar Zaki along Gusau-Dansadau road, 82 km north of Gusau, the state capital.

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It was gathered that nine traders regained freedom after payment of N6m and three brand new motorbikes as ransom.

“About N10 million was found on the traders and was carted away by the abductors. They called four days later and demanded that N80 million be paid as ransom. After painstaking negotiations, they managed to beat down the ransom to N10 million,” a brother of one of the victims Alhaji Yau Dansadau told Daily Trust.

“After N5 million was delivered to them, they released 2 of the kidnapped victims with a promise to release the rest the following day.  The freed victims can’t walk following severe injuries they sustained on their legs after they were chained for many days.

“They carried the victims on motorbikes and brought them to Hannu Tara area just 2km north of the very spot they kidnapped them. The victims are now responding to treatment at a medical facility. One of the kidnapped victims called Ali Laudi told us that three of them couldn’t survive as they died in kidnappers’ custody,” he added.

One of the victims, Bello Dansadau, told Daily Trust that they were blindfolded and chained for all the days they spent in the kidnappers’ den and could not walk because of the severe injuries on their legs.

“We really saw hell; it was a terrible moment for us. Even when we are going to ease ourselves, we would be asked to go blindfolded. I will not wish this condition even for my enemy,” Bello said.

The spokesman of the state police command, SP Muhammad Shehu, could not be reached for comment as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have apprehended seven suspected bandits and five of their collaborators in different operations in Zamfara.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Tuesday, said the operations, which took place on Monday, also resulted in recovery of weapons and logistics.

Enenche said the troops successfully ambushed some marauding bandits around Magizawa, Kani, Zango, Tabanni and Nasamu villages of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara.