Gunmen have reportedly killed at least 33 kidnapped victims in Banga town, in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

According to The Cable, the assailants were said to be led by a notorious bandit kingpin known as Dan Sadiya, who allegedly abducted over 50 residents from the community.

Survivors and family members told TheCable that after collecting a N50 million ransom, the bandits released only 17 hostages, mostly women and children. The remaining captives?mainly men?were executed in batches, despite efforts by families to meet the demands.

?He kills even after collecting ransom, and if payment is delayed, he executes hostages without hesitation,? one resident said.

?In Banga alone, he kidnapped over 50 people and killed 33. Only 17 returned after the ransom was paid.?

The killings reportedly occurred over a span of several days while families scrambled to raise funds.

?We sold all our possessions,? said Yusuf Muhammad, whose son was among those killed. ?After nearly two months, we were told he had killed all the men. Only the women were allowed to return.?

Comparisons have been drawn between Dan Sadiya and other infamous bandits in the region, including Turji, with residents describing the former as more brutal and indiscriminate.

?What we are experiencing now is worse than what Turji did,? Muhammad said. ?At least Turji doesn?t kill indiscriminately, especially if you meet the conditions he sets. But Dan Sadiya kills without mercy.?

In a separate attack on Yamutsawa, another village in the same LGA, residents said the gang kidnapped 40 people, killed nearly half, and sent back a decapitated head as a warning to others.

Despite a military presence in Kaura Namoda, residents say the bandits continue to operate freely.

?Yesterday, we couldn?t sleep because we feared another attack,? said Aisha Isa Kaura, whose husband was among the dead. ?The soldiers are here, but the killings continue.?

Several villagers say they feel safer when members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) are on patrol.

?They (CJTF) help in fighting the bandits, and whenever people see them, they feel more at ease,? said Ahmed Sani. (BusinessDay)

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