Five Abducted Sokoto Residents Regain Freedom After Two Months in Captivity as Six Remain Held

Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

Five of the eleven residents abducted from Takakume village in Achida ward of Wurno Local Government Area, Sokoto State, have regained their freedom after spending nearly two months in captivity, local sources confirmed on Tuesday. Their release reportedly followed the payment of a ransom amounting to ₦10 million and two motorcycles demanded by their captors.

The victims were among a group seized during a raid on Takakume village earlier this year, an incident that heightened insecurity concerns across communities in eastern Sokoto. Armed men, widely believed by residents to be bandits operating in the region, reportedly stormed the village in the early hours, firing shots and whisking away eleven individuals. The attack formed part of a broader pattern of rural abductions that have affected several local government areas in the state.

Community leaders familiar with the negotiations said families and sympathisers pooled resources over several weeks to secure the release of the five captives. The ransom demand, initially described as higher, was said to have been negotiated down before payment was made. In addition to the cash sum, the abductors allegedly insisted on the provision of two motorcycles, a common logistical request in bandit operations where mobility across forested terrain is critical.

The freed victims reportedly returned to their community in fragile health but stable condition. Relatives described emotional reunions marked by relief and lingering anxiety over the fate of the remaining six captives still held by the abductors. Local leaders have appealed for continued support and prayers, expressing hope that the outstanding hostages will also be released unharmed.

Authorities in Sokoto State have yet to issue a detailed official statement confirming the release or commenting on the reported ransom payment. However, security challenges in Wurno and surrounding areas have persisted for years, driven by banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping for ransom. The porous borders between Sokoto and neighbouring Zamfara State have further complicated efforts to contain armed groups who frequently move across state lines to evade security operations.

Kidnapping for ransom has become a significant security and humanitarian concern in north-western Nigeria. Armed groups often target remote villages with limited security presence, exploiting difficult terrain and sparse infrastructure. Residents say that in many cases, communities are left to negotiate directly with abductors due to delayed response times or limited operational reach by security forces.

The reliance on ransom payments has drawn criticism from policy analysts and civil society actors, who argue that it risks strengthening criminal networks and perpetuating cycles of abduction. Nonetheless, families of victims often describe such payments as a desperate but necessary step to save lives, especially when captives are threatened with violence.

Security experts note that motorcycles are frequently demanded in ransom arrangements because they enhance the operational flexibility of armed groups. The vehicles allow rapid movement through rural pathways and forest corridors that are inaccessible to conventional patrol vehicles. This tactic has been observed in several north-western states, where bandit groups operate in loosely organised cells.

Wurno Local Government Area has experienced intermittent attacks in recent years, contributing to displacement and economic strain in affected communities. Farming activities, which constitute the primary livelihood in the region, have been disrupted by repeated insecurity. Residents say fear of abduction has forced some families to abandon farmlands or limit movement outside their villages.

Local officials and traditional leaders have continued to call for reinforced security deployments and intelligence-driven operations to dismantle bandit networks. They stress that sustained presence and coordination among security agencies are critical to preventing further attacks and restoring confidence among rural populations.

As negotiations continue for the six remaining captives, community members remain on edge. Families of those still in detention are reportedly engaged in ongoing discussions with intermediaries, though details remain unclear. The situation underscores the persistent vulnerability of rural settlements in Nigeria’s north-west, where banditry remains a formidable challenge despite periodic security offensives.

For the residents of Takakume, the partial release offers a measure of hope but not closure. The safe return of the remaining hostages now stands as the community’s immediate priority, as they await further developments amid an enduring climate of insecurity.

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