Sokoto bandits write monarch, demand N20m to free abductees

Suspected bandits in Sokoto State have reportedly written a letter to a monarch in the Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of the state, demanding N20m ransom to free 20 persons kidnapped from two communities in the area.

This is coming a few days after attacking some communities in the area, killing a number of people and abducting some others.

The bandits reportedly resorted to sending letters to families of kidnapped victims following shutdown of telecommunication services in the area.

The letter written in Hausa language by one of the victims kidnapped by the bandits was addressed to Sarkin Rafin Burkusuma, the district head of the area.

Nigerian Tribune reported that the bandits informed the monarch that the victims kidnapped from Gatawa and Burkusuma were all in good health.

The kidnapped victims, whose names were all written in the letter, consist of nine males, eight females and two children,

One of the victims was reportedly released by the bandits to deliver the letter to Gatawa through the Sarkin Rakin Burkusuma.

The police in Sokoto had earlier confirmed through its spokesman that bandits attacked the village during the week.

Some residents had said the suspected bandits attacked Gangara and Gatawa all in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area and claimed over 20 persons were killed and 27 others abducted.

Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the killing of four persons in Gangara town, but did not give detail of the attack in Gatawa.

It was gathered that letter writing was said to be a new twist to the operations of the bandits introduced following the shutdown of telecommunication services in the area.