Bandits demand N60m to free Sokoto councillor, 8 others

The bandits who kidnapped nine persons, including the Councillor representing Yar Tsakuwa Ward in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, have demanded N60 million.

A resident of Yar Tsakuwa, Nazifi Abdullahi, told our reporter that the bandits called the families of the victims and asked them to raise the money.

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Abdullahi said, “And when they (relatives of the captives) asked for discount, the bandits switched off the phone. We don’t know how they can raise such amount, because I know one of the hostages who finds it difficult to provide for his family. In fact, he and his family have been living in a borrowed house since theirs collapsed some months back.”

Daily Trust reports that the bandits invaded Yar Tsakuwa around 12am on Saturday and operated till 3am, ransacking houses and shops, robbing motorcycles, foodstuff, drugs and other valuables.

The miscreants, who initially abducted 20 persons, released 11 of them before marching others to their camp.