“Bring Food First, We’ll Discuss Ransom Later”: Kidnappers Set Strange Condition

Lagos, Nigeria – In a bizarre and heart-wrenching development, families of 14 residents abducted from Janjala community in Kagarko Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State are being forced to provide food items to feed their loved ones before any ransom discussions can begin. The bandits, who struck on the night of Saturday, February 8, 2026, have turned the ordeal into a double burden for the grieving families, demanding essentials like rice and oil alongside cash for their own indulgences.

The attack unfolded around midnight when over 20 heavily armed men invaded the quiet farming village, firing sporadically to instill fear. Among those taken were Saleh Adamu, a dedicated local vigilante known for his efforts to protect the community, his wife Fatima, and 12 other residents, including women and children. During the chaos, Shamsudeen Adamu was shot in the stomach and left wounded, adding to the trauma of the raid.

A community liaison, who spoke to NaijaChoice News on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, revealed that the bandit leader contacted the families on Monday evening using one of the victims’ phones. “He demanded a bag of rice, guinea corn, maize, a jerrycan of palm oil, five cartons of spaghetti, and a carton of seasoning cubes,” the source said. “On top of that, they want N1 million in cash, which they claim is for energy drinks, cigarettes, Indian hemp, and hard drugs.”

When the liaison attempted to plead on behalf of the struggling families, explaining their financial hardships amid Nigeria’s economic challenges, the bandit abruptly ended the call. “They insisted on the food first, saying the victims are starving and need to be fed before any further talks,” the source added. This unusual precondition highlights the escalating audacity of bandit groups in the region, who are increasingly treating abductions as prolonged enterprises rather than quick grabs.

As previously reported by NaijaChoice News, banditry in Kaduna State has surged in recent months, with multiple attacks terrorizing communities in Kagarko LGA. Just days before this incident, on February 6, bandits abducted the Chief Imam of Janjala Central Mosque, Malam Bello Abdullahi, along with a local Fulani leader, Alhaji Shehu Bello, and a woman, forcing villagers to flee their homes. Similar raids have continued, including a March 2 assault on the same Janjala village where armed assailants injured one resident with a gunshot to the stomach and abducted an unspecified number of people. These patterns underscore the persistent insecurity in northern Nigeria, where bandit groups, often linked to cattle rustling and kidnappings, operate with impunity in forested areas.

Security operatives, including local police and military units, have launched search operations in the dense forests between Sabon-Kurutu and Hayin-Dam, believed to be hideouts for the perpetrators. However, as of Tuesday, the Kaduna State Police Command had not issued an official response to inquiries about the latest demands or progress in the rescue efforts. Residents have expressed frustration over the delayed interventions, with one anonymous villager telling NaijaChoice News, “We live in constant fear; these attacks are becoming too frequent, and help seems too slow.”

The families remain in anguish, torn between gathering the demanded supplies and clinging to hope for their relatives’ safe return. This incident not only exposes the vulnerability of rural communities but also raises questions about the effectiveness of ongoing anti-banditry operations in Kaduna.