Bandits Demand Food As Ransom After Three Governors Shut Markets In Northern State

The decision of Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto state governors to close markets in the region is reportedly taking a toll on bandits.

Last week, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) also asked telecommunications companies to suspend services in Zamfara over the spate of banditry in the state.

According to Daily Trust, the bandits in Sokoto are now demanding food for the release of their captives.

The newspaper quoted a resident of Sabo Birni who said a neighbour’s ward was released after food items were given to the bandits.

“They abducted a daughter of one man in our village and when he could not raise the money, they asked him to bring 10 measures of rice to collect the girl and they kept their promises,” the resident said.

Another resident of Sokoto said bandits requested food items and drinks to release a driver they had abducted.

“They initially demanded N15 million before later agreeing to accept N600,000.

“They asked his employer, who is my friend, to use the money to buy bags of rice, crates of energy drinks, cartons of spaghetti, cigarettes and bring the remaining change to them. The man is still trying to raise the money.” he reportedly said.