Bandits collect motorcycles as ransom before releasing kidnapped victims

Bandits have received three motorcycles as additional ransom after days of negotiations with representatives of the Olle-Bunu community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State before they could release abducted victims.

Penpushing reports that it would be recalled that the bandits had earlier released some of the abducted residents but held on captivity the remaining three victims, insisting on further payments despite earlier ransoms allegedly paid by families and community members.

The source disclosed that the negotiations dragged on for days before the final conditions were met, adding that the release was secured only after the delivery of the motorcycles demanded by the kidnappers.

Penpushing further reports that Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area has witnessed repeated attacks and abductions in recent months, with residents complaining of growing insecurity and what they described as limited and inconsistent security presence in many rural communities.

The source recalled that earlier five women abducted from Olle-Bunu community were released after residents raised N12 million as ransom, which was contributed by families of the victims, community leaders, and other residents after days of negotiations with the kidnappers.

Penpushing also reports that as at the time of filing this report, fears remained over the safety of the three other captives who were still being held, despite the payment of the earlier ransom.

The Kogi State Police Command as at the time of this report was yet to speak on the latest development, while the Olle-Bunu incident is part of a broader pattern of insecurity across Kogi State.

Penpushing reports that multiple cases of abductions and deadly attacks in the Yagba and Kabba/Bunu axes, including raids on communities, church attacks, and the killing of abducted victims despite ransom payments.

The findings showed that in some cases, communities have resorted to collective fundraising to meet kidnappers’ demands, a practice residents say is driven by fear for the lives of captives and delays in rescue operations.

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