Kaduna bandits ransom rejection leaves families desperate as abductors insist on full payment before releasing kidnapped victims

Families of 14 abducted residents of Janjala community in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday, 30 March 2026, have raised urgent appeals for intervention after suspected bandits rejected a partial ransom payment and refused to release their captives nearly one month after the abduction.

Also read: Kaduna Church Kidnap Victims Freed After Weeks in Captivity

The situation, which has intensified anxiety across the community, involves victims including a local vigilante member and his wife, whose prolonged captivity has deepened the emotional and financial strain on affected households.

The Kaduna bandits ransom rejection follows an initial demand of ₦1 million per victim, amounting to ₦14 million in total. However, families have only been able to raise about ₦3 million despite pooling resources, selling belongings, and seeking external assistance.

A source acting as an intermediary between the families and the abductors revealed that the kidnappers had earlier accepted partial cooperation, including food supplies and an additional cash payment of ₦500,000.

Despite this, the group maintained its insistence on full payment before any release would be considered.

According to the intermediary, communication with the kidnappers abruptly ended when the limited ransom raised was disclosed, underscoring the rigidity of the abductors’ demands and the difficulty faced by the families in negotiating further.

Community leaders say the prolonged captivity has created a climate of fear and uncertainty, with many residents increasingly concerned about safety in surrounding areas.

Some families have reportedly exhausted their savings, while others continue to depend on community contributions to meet the ransom expectations.

Security sources confirmed that operations are ongoing in nearby forest areas as personnel intensify efforts to locate the kidnappers’ hideout and rescue the victims. However, no official breakthrough has been announced at the time of reporting.

Authorities in Kaduna State have yet to issue a formal statement on the matter, while affected families continue to call on government agencies and security forces to accelerate rescue operations and ensure the safe return of their loved ones.

Also read: Kaduna Police Neutralise Bandits, Recover Firearms

The incident adds to growing concerns over banditry and kidnapping in parts of northern Nigeria, where communities continue to grapple with recurring abductions and ransom demands that leave many households financially and emotionally devastated.