A wave of relief tinged with sorrow has enveloped the Ibeto community in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State following the release of 17 residents abducted by armed bandits on October 1, 2025.
The victims, including prominent lawyer Isyaku Muhammad Danjuma, were freed on Christmas Day, December 25, after almost three months in captivity.
Tragically, one of the abducted individuals died while held by the bandits.The abduction occurred during a brazen attack on the community on Nigeria's Independence Day, during which bandits killed four residents and injured nine others.
Danjuma had posted a warning on Facebook shortly before his kidnapping, alerting locals to the movement of bandits toward Ibeto with stolen cattle. Sources allege that informants may have tipped off the attackers about his location.
The bandits initially demanded a N200 million ransom, later negotiating it down to N80 million.
Family members, friends, colleagues, and community residents confirmed the release through social media posts, expressing gratitude amid grief over the loss of one victim.
The development has been hailed as a Christmas miracle by many in the community, though it underscores the persistent insecurity in parts of Niger State plagued by banditry.
No official statement has been issued by security agencies regarding the circumstances of the release, which is common in such cases often involving ransom payments.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of kidnapping for ransom in northern Nigeria, where armed groups continue to target rural communities.
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