• He said that all efforts to raise the money have not yielded positive results as wealthy individuals are indifferent to the plight of the hostages and their families

Bandits in Zamfara State are demanding N500 million in ransom to release 30 persons they abducted in the State.

The victims were abducted from Maradun Local Government Area of the north west State recently.

Maradun is the country home of the Minister of State, Defence, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle.

A resident of the area, Ibrahim Maradun, confirmed the development to newsmen.

He said that all efforts to raise the money have not yielded positive results as wealthy individuals are indifferent to the plight of the hostages and their families.

“We have wealthy people in the town but they could not risk their wealth for the kidnapped victims to regain their freedom from the notorious bandits”, he stated.

Maradun disclosed that since the incident happened, both the State government and the security agencies have not made any official statement.

“The State Government has neither visited the town to show sympathy, nor has the Governor delegated any government official to show concern,” he lamented.

Maradun noted that the people of the area revolted against former Governor Matawalle through the ballot box owing to insecurity.

“During the electioneering campaigns, Governor Dauda Lawal assured electorates that if voted into power, he would end banditry activities within 100 days in office.

“But now, the situation is getting worse as bandits’ operations continue to escalate unatated.

“Recently, armed bandits ambushed the operatives of the State’s local security outfit, known as Community Protection Guard, CPG, killed three of them, injured many and made away with their arms,” he disclosed.

He called on the State Government and the security operatives to intensify more efforts to ensure the release of the kidnapped victims