Breaking : Niger mass abduction: Bandits free 40 out of 150 abducted in Niger

*12 Motorcycles, N2m paid as ransom
* Community still without security, three weeks after attack
*Govt, security agencies mum over attack

From John Adams Minna

There was a little sigh of relief in Kuchi Community in Munya local government area of Niger State on Tuesday morning as no fewer than 40 victims out of the 150 that were kidnapped three weeks ago have regained their freedom.
The released of this 40 victims, mostly women and children however came with a heavy cost for members of the community who were made to part away with six Honda product motorcycles each valued about N1.2million, and N2million cash as ransom.
A reliable source close to Kuchi Community who disclosed this to Daily Sun in Minna on telephone on Tuesday, however said 110 people are still being held in captivity by the Bandits.
It was further gathered that the Bandits are equally demanding for another six motorcycles and N2million cash for the release of another batch of 40 hostages even though negotiations are still ongoing between the Bandits and the community.
It could be recalled that the Bandits in their numbers invaded the community three weeks ago and unleashed terror on the people, killing seven people including four security agents and went away with no fewer than 150 villagers.
Shops, houses and food barms were freely looted in an operation, the villagers said lasted for over three hours without any resistance.
Two weeks after the abduction, the Bandits demanded N150million ransom for the release of the victims, after rejecting the N100,000 offered by the community for each victim.
“We have been negotiating with them (Bandits) but finally they agreed to collect six Honda motorcycles and N2million for the release of two groups totalling 40 in number.
“The 150 people they abducted were divided into six groups, and they said we should bring six Honda motorcycles and N2million cash for each of the groups. This is after they rejected our initial offer of N100,000 of each person. They have released two groups, remaining four groups”, our source said.
According to our source, since the attack occured three weeks ago no single government official or security agents have visited the community for on the spot assessment of what happened, adding”the community is left without security at the moment and it has remained deserted”.
In addition to this, there is no official statement from either the government or the security agents over the attack except the Chairman of the local government, Hon. Aminu Najume who earlier confirmed the abduction to the Daily Sun on telephone.
However when contacted on the release of the 40 people, the Chairman said the Council is not involved in the negotiation with the Bandits as it was entirely between the community and the Bandits.
He nonetheless promised to get back to our correspondent to confirm if truly 40 people have been released but never did until the time of filing this report.