A deep wave of grief has swept through Banga village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State after bandits reportedly slaughtered 35 kidnapped residents despite receiving over ?50m in ransom.

The victims were among 53 villagers abducted several months ago when armed men invaded the rural community.

Speaking to journalists, a resident, Lawali Muhammad Banga, revealed that the assailants had demanded ?1m per hostage.

After weeks of desperate efforts, the village managed to raise and deliver the ransom, hoping it would secure the safe return of their loved ones.

According to Lawali, only 18 captives were released. The freed victims, upon returning, described a horrifying sequence of events in which the remaining 35 abductees were executed one by one in cold blood while in captivity.

“All we want now is to live in peace, to feel like free citizens and not slaves under the rule of heartless terrorists who neither fear God nor believe they can ever be crushed,” he was quoted by New Telegraph.

Lawali also disclosed that Banga village has effectively fallen under the control of the armed group.

He said surrounding communities have been abandoned, as people flee recurring attacks that include killings, kidnappings, and sexual violence against those who resist the bandits’ dominance.

Lawali pleaded with the Federal and Zamfara state government to as a matter of urgency, come to their aid.