By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Residents of Yarkasuwa Saminaka, a community in Lere Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, have been thrown into further sorrow following a fresh message they said they received from kidnappers who had earlier stormed the locality and engaged in a killing spree.
In November last year, they said, heavily armed kidnappers, in a midnight raid, attacked the community, killed four persons, injured five and abducted 13 others, in the process fracturing the relative peace of the people.
As residents grieved over the losses, the terrorists slammed them with a N40million ransom for the release of the 13.
The mostly farmer-residents scrambled to sell their foodstuffs and other items, managed to raise the amount and handed it to the terrorists early January 2026.
But worse was lurking for them as the kidnappers collected the money, failed to free the abductees and are now demanding an additional hefty N300million ransom and a number of motorbikes to free the 13.
To add salt to injury, the terrorists challenged the residents to feel free to call in the Nigerian Army to come search for the abductees in their Rijana forest hideout, reportedly mockingly adding “if you have the soldiers that can rescue the people from us.”
These were disclosed at a solemn media briefing on Monday in Kaduna by some leaders of the community’s Elders Forum, led by Mr. Rabo Sabo Jantsauni, alongside leaders of the Youth Forum.
Mr. Jantsauni explained that the inhabitants of Yarkasuwa community were in critical condition because of the attack, killing and abduction on their folks and appealed to the Federal Government, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and Chairman of Lere LGA to intervene.
He said that the N40 million ransom was delivered to the terrorists about 7 January, 2026, barely three weeks ago, expressing surprise that none of the kidnapped victims had been freed as promised.
“We are in a critical condition here in Yarkasuwa because of what happened. Kidnappers attacked our villages; they killed four (4) people, five were injured and thirteen (13) were kidnapped.
“They said we should give them N300,000,000.00 for ransom; where can we find that amount? And they also said they are in Rijana forest, if we have the soldiers that can rescue our people we should ask them to go.
“Hear our cry, to deliver the message to Hon. Minister of defense. Thank you,” he said.
Listing the names of the kidnapped victims, he said they are: Denatu Habibu; Mrs Rahab Danbala; Yohanna Umaru; Catherine Amos; Ibrahim Bagobari; and Rev. Istifanus Dungu.
According to him, others are Habibu Yahaya; John Ibrahim; l Love Markus; Mummy Markus; Christiana Dungu; Lois Markus, and Mary Danbala.
Those killed were identified as Promise Korau, 18 years old; Hycent Timothy, 19 years old; Mato Shagori, 40 years old; and Markus Ishaya.
Jantsauni commended the House of Representatives and Kaduna State House of Assembly for their support to families of the victims, and the unnamed Divisional Police Officer of the area for his efforts since the incident.
Spokesman of Kaduna State Police Command Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Mansir Hassan did not respond to our enquiry over the matter.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Jantsauni addressing the briefing.
