Tears and grief have gripped communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State after 25 decomposing bodies were recovered from the bush, weeks after villagers were allegedly killed by bandits.
The victims were among hundreds of men, women and children abducted during an August 21 attack on several communities.
On Monday, the bandits reportedly contacted the affected communities and told residents to search the bush for the bodies of their relatives.
Residents of Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida, Gidan-Zana and other communities later recovered at least 25 bodies and buried them in a mass grave nearby.
A community source told Daily Sun that the victims were allegedly killed and left to decompose. The bandits also threatened to kill more captives if their ransom demands were not paid.
Families are now even more worried, especially as women, children and infants were among those abducted.
One resident said the bandits first demanded N10 million for each captive before reducing it to N5 million, which the farming and petty-trading communities could not afford.
“They asked each family to bring N10 million for each captive. Later, they reduced it to N5 million, but there is no way that we can afford it,” he said.
“We don’t know what will happen to the rest of the people that are still being held,” he said.
The development came despite security assurances that rescue efforts were being intensified.
During a visit to Niger State about two weeks ago, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, said police and other security agencies were working to free the captives.
The police also deployed AIG Victor Olaiya of Zone 7, Abuja, and tactical personnel to support the rescue operations.
Borgu council chairman Nasir Mohammed described the killings as heartbreaking, inhuman and wicked.
“This is inhumane and wicked. I lack words to describe this horrifying incident. The entire people of Borgu Kingdom are devastated by the killing of these innocent people,” Mohammed said.
As of filing, neither the Niger State Police Command nor the state government had commented on the reported recovery and mass burial.
