How Bandits Demand Food For Ransom As Market, Telecommunication Shut Down

The decision of some governors in the north-west to close markets in the region is reportedly taking a toll on bandits.

Candidreporters.com gathered that bandits in Sokoto are now demanding food for the release of their captives.

The strategic steps taken by some nort-west governors to curb the activities of bandits in the region is reportedly yielding result.

Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto are the states that have taken this measure. Markets in the region were close and telecommunication shut down.

Candidreporters.com learnt that the move by the NCC is aimed at stopping communication among the bandits and to enable the security agencies to undertake operations to flush out the criminals.

Three governors in the region ordered the closure of markets in their states to check the activities of bandits that have led to abductions and loss of property.

A resident of Sabo Birni who said a neighbour’s ward was reportedly released after food items were given to the bandits.

“They abducted a daughter of one man in our village and when he could not raise the money, they asked him to bring 10 measures of rice to collect the girl and they kept their promises,” the resident said.

Another resident of Sokoto said bandits requested food items and drinks to release a driver they had abducted.

“They initially demanded N15 million before later agreeing to accept N600,000,” he reportedly said.

“They asked his employer, who is my friend, to use the money to buy bags of rice, crates of energy drinks, cartons of spaghetti, cigarettes and bring the remaining change to them.