At least 35 abducted villagers from northern Nigeria’s Zamfara State have been killed by their captors, despite ransom money being paid for their release, according to a local official.

The victims were among 56 people taken from Banga village in Kauran Namoda local government area in March.

The armed group, commonly referred to in Nigeria as bandits, had demanded one million naira for each hostage. After prolonged negotiations, the money was handed over, but only 18 people—mostly women and one young boy—were freed on Saturday.

Local government chairman Manniru Haidara Kaura confirmed the killings, saying most of the victims were young people. “What happened was that the bandits demanded ransom money, and after some back-and-forth, they were given what they asked for. They then released 18 people, including 17 women and one young boy, on Saturday,” he said.

He expressed anger and sorrow over the brutal killings. “Only they [the gunmen] know why they killed them. They are senseless and heartless people. They forget that they are killing their own brothers, and we will all meet before Allah.”

Kaura said those released are undergoing medical treatment in hospital. Meanwhile, the bodies of the 38 who were killed may never be recovered, as it is common for kidnappers not to return corpses.

The practice of kidnapping for ransom has surged across northern Nigeria in recent years, with criminal gangs frequently targeting remote villages. To counter this, a law passed in 2022 criminalised ransom payments and introduced a minimum 15-year jail term for those who pay, along with the death penalty for abductors if the victims are killed. However, enforcement of the law has been weak, and no one has yet been prosecuted under it.

Many families say they have little choice but to pay, blaming the government for failing to protect citizens or rescue abducted relatives.