40 Out of 150 Abducted Niger Community Members Released.

Out of the 150 people kidnapped from the Kuchi village in Niger State's Munya Local Government Area, forty have been set free by their captors.

The hostages were freed, most of them were women and children, after the community gave the bandits N2 million and 12 Honda motorcycles.

The release happened early on Tuesday, according to information obtained by DAILY POST, after the community made an effort to satisfy the thieves' demands. According to reports, each motorbike cost N1.2 million. But 110 captives are still being held captive.

According to trustworthy sources, the robbers have offered to free 40 more hostages in exchange for N2 million and six more motorcycles from the community. The bandits and community representatives are still negotiating.

Three weeks ago, a sizable band of bandits broke into the Kuchi village, beginning this nightmare.

Seven people were killed in the incident, four of them were security officers. The robbers ransacked residences, stores, and farms, capturing more than 150 inhabitants in a raid that lasted longer than three hours with no opposition from law enforcement.

The robbers first sought N150 million in exchange for the release of every prisoner. However, the community tried to bargain with them for N100,000 per person, and they turned them down.

Afterward, the criminals agreed to exchange smaller groups of captives for the motorcycles and cash arrangement.

As stated by a source: “We have been negotiating with the bandits but finally they agreed to collect six Honda motorcycles and N2 million 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 N2 million cash for each of the groups.

“This is after they rejected our initial offer of N100,000 for each person. They have released two groups, remaining four groups.”

The source also voiced concern with the absence of law enforcement and the government, saying: “Since the incident, no single government official or security agent has visited the community for on-the-spot assessment of what happened. The community is left without security at the moment and it has remained deserted.”

Aminu Najume, the Local government chairman, verified the attack and kidnapping but was unable to confirm the 40 captives' release.

The Niger State Police Command's spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, promised to confirm the information and offer more details.