- demand N20m ransom for eight people kidnapped a day earlier
Gunmen have abducted 17 people from Bobo in Jangebe village of Talatan Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Sunday.
A resident told BBC Hausa that the gunmen stormed the area around 1am on Sunday, shooting sporadically to scare the people.
“They then went from house to house abducting people, mostly farmers. About 17 were taken away and led into the bush by the gunmen.
“We tried calling the attention of security agents but they didn’t turn up until around 6.30am. They came in the morning sympathized with us and promised to take action, but we are yet to see any action. People are living in fear since the incident,” the resident said.
He said this is the third attack in the area in recent times. “Even yesterday (Saturday), they went to neighbouring Gwaram village and abducted eight people. They have placed a ransom of N20m on them. But they are yet to make any demand on the 17 people the just kidnapped,” he added.
According to the resident, whose name is being concealed for his safety, he was inside the house when he started hearing sounds of gunshots. “Before you know it, there was panic, some were even crying. But because the people could not confront them they had to seek refuge in the bush,” he said.
Attempts to speak with the security agencies in the area did not yield any positive result. However, both the government and security agency have consistently said that they are working hard to end banditry and other criminalities in the country, especially in the North West.
