4 Female Captives In Zamfara Fear Forced Marriage As Bandits Demand N12m Ransom

In a distressing turn of events, four female captives, including a student from Zamfara State College of Arts and Science, have revealed their captors’ alarming threat to marry them off if a hefty N12 million ransom is not paid by their parents. The young women were kidnapped six months ago by bandits while returning from a wedding along the Birnin Magaji-Kaura Namoda Road.

A two-minute and nineteen-second video obtained by Channels Television on Saturday showed the victims, identified as Ummukhair, Aisha Yahaya, Jemila Yahaya, and Ummu Sani, earnestly pleading for their release. The abductors have given their families a one-week ultimatum to gather the demanded ransom and secure their freedom.

With desperation evident in their voices, the captives implored their parents to find a way to raise the money, seeking divine intervention to end their ordeal. They expressed disappointment in the past government’s failure to secure their release and urged the current administration, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, to take prompt action.

The ordeal began six months ago when a total of eight girls were abducted. Sadly, two of them were released earlier after their families managed to pay a N6 million ransom, as revealed by Aminu Yahaya, an elder brother to one of the victims.

The situation has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving families devastated and fearing for the safety and dignity of their loved ones. In response, Aminu Yahaya made a heartfelt appeal to both the state government and fellow citizens to come together and provide assistance in any way possible to secure the release of the remaining captives.

The threat of forced marriage, a harrowing aspect of the captives’ plight, highlights the urgency and gravity of the situation. Time is of the essence as the captors’ deadline approaches, raising concerns for the safety and well-being of the young women. (CONTINUE READING HERE)