Residents of Kurama Chiefdom in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State are facing a dire situation as bandits demand N500 million for the release of 13 kidnapped locals, including an ECWA Pastor.

The abduction follows a violent attack about two weeks ago, when gunmen stormed the villages of Gidan Yawa, Maiyamma, Jantsauni, and Maidoki around 10:30 pm. Three people were killed, and thirty others were initially abducted. The kidnappers have now reduced the number of captives to thirteen and are demanding an exorbitant ransom.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Mr. Pius Again Kaura, National Publicity Secretary of the Federated Kurama Association, lamented the impossibility of raising such a large sum.

“We are finished. These are the breadwinners of their families; farmers, fathers, a pastor. And the bandits are asking for half a billion naira. Where will poor villagers find such money?” he said.

Kaura explained that the affected villages are predominantly farming communities on the outskirts of Yarkasuwa, and described the residents as helpless:

“We have no guns, no soldiers, no money. We are at the mercy of these killers.”

This recent attack is part of a troubling pattern of violence against the Kurama people. In recent years, the bandits have targeted district heads, priests, politicians’ families, and countless farmers, many of whom remain in captivity or were killed when ransoms could not be met.

The community has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and Governor Uba Sani to intervene urgently to secure the release of the victims and reunite them with their families.