Zamfara villagers sell farms, livestock to raise N25m ransom to free kidnapped families as bandits kill 30 in fresh attack

Some villagers have allegedly sold all their properties, including farms and livestock, to raise the N25 million ransom demanded by bandits for the release of their kidnapped wives and children in Zamfara State.

This is as fresh onslaught Thursday night in the state claimed 30 lives.

According to Bakastine, the affected villagers, acting through selected representatives, were on their way to deliver the ransom payment to the bandits when they were stopped by security agents.

Bakatsine, disclosed the development on Friday, February 20, 2026.

The money, painstakingly raised through the liquidation of virtually everything the families owned, was reportedly packed inside a sack as the emissaries travelled to an undisclosed location to meet the abductors.

Bakatsine said the victims had stripped themselves of all means of livelihood in order to meet the ransom demand

“Yesterday, security operatives intercepted villagers in Zamfara State who were on their way to pay N25million ransom for kidnapped wives and children,” Bakatsine said.

“To raise the money, the victims sold everything including farms, livestock, all their possessions and stuffed it into a sack.”

Zamfara State, like several other states in Nigeria’s troubled North-West region, has been plagued by persistent banditry, mass abductions, and violent attacks on rural communities.

Kidnappings for ransom have become a recurring nightmare for villagers, who are often forced to choose between raising huge sums of money under duress or risking the lives of their abducted relatives.

In many cases, communities resort to selling farmlands, livestock, harvests, and other valuables to meet ransom demands, further deepening poverty and economic instability in already vulnerable rural areas.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 30 people were killed and several others abducted when bandits attacked Dutsin Dan Ajiya village in Anka Local Government Area late Thursday night.

The attack, which occurred around midnight on February 19, 2026, came two days after the Zamfara State Government launched new security hardware and drones to combat insecurity.

Residents said the gunmen, who arrived on motorcycles, blocked the village entrance and opened fire sporadically on villagers before carrying out the abductions.

The incident followed a similar attack in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State where 33 people were reportedly killed.

Efforts to reach the Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.