Bandits Release Video Of Niger Women In Captivity, Demand 130 Motorcycles

The kidnappers of 26 women abducted from the Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State have released a distressing video featuring two of the captives.

In the video, the women are seen pleading with their families to meet the kidnappers’ demands in exchange for their release.

One of the captives, tied to a tree, tearfully appealed in Hausa language for her family to provide the items requested by the kidnappers, which include 130 motorcycles.

She specifically called on a relative named Abdulrahman to help fulfill the kidnappers’ demands.

The 30-second video, which was shared with Daily Trust, highlights the growing insecurity in Niger State, where kidnappings and banditry have become alarmingly frequent.

“Umar, please talk to Abdulrahman. They have brought me to a service area now. They said they cannot release me until the items they demanded are delivered. They said I should talk so that you will hear my voice. I have injuries on my legs. For the sake of Allah and His Prophet, help bring the items. They said if you bring the items, they will release me along with Hajiya. I am here with Hajiya,” she pleaded in the video.

Abba Usman, a resident, confirmed to Daily Trust, that the women featured in the video are among the 26 kidnapped in February this year.

He reported that the families of the two women had already provided six motorcycles, but the kidnappers are now demanding four more motorcycles before the women can be released.

Usman added that the families of the remaining 24 women have informed the bandits that they cannot afford to buy the additional motorcycles. The bandits are demanding five motorcycles for each of the 26 women, with each motorcycle priced at ₦2 million.

“My mother and my sister were among those kidnapped seven months ago on Allawa-Pandogari Road. On that day, eight men were killed before the women were taken away. The bandits have asked us to provide five motorcycles for each of the 26 women. We couldn’t raise the money, which is why they are still in captivity.

“Recently, they sent a video showing two of the women. The families of these two women provided six motorcycles, but the bandits have now demanded four more motorcycles. They sent the video to confirm that the women are still alive and will be released once the additional motorcycles are provided. For now, we don’t even have anything left to sell to raise money for these motorcycles,” Usman explained.