Zamfara bandits say N12m ransom must be paid by end of July or six kidnapped girls will be married off

BANDITS operating in Zamfara State have threatened to marry off three females including a student of Zamfara State College of Arts and Science Gusau who were abducted six months ago if a ransom fee of N12m ($15,500) is not paid for their release.

According to the bandits, the families of the ladies have until the end of July to make the payment, or they will be married off to their commanders. All the victims, Aisha Yahaya, Jamila Yahaya, Ummu Sani and Hauwa Garba, were kidnapped along the Birnin Magaji-Kaura Namoda Road in Zamfara State six months ago.

In a two-minute 19 seconds video clip released by the bandits earlier today, the abducted females were seen crying, calling for help from both Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and the general public to come to their rescue. The girls who are all wearing hijab looked seriously emaciated and were crying at the top of their voices, calling for urgent help.

They repeatedly appealed to the state governor to do something urgently to get them released and returned to their families. They blamed former Governor Bello Mattawalle for their predicament saying that he did not do anything about their plight during his tenure.