Bandits who abducted married bride and weeding guests last Thursday during an attack on their convoy in Damari, Sabuwa Local Government Area have dared Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda by releasing a threatening of their victims.
The bandits claim they shot the video as a challenge to Governor, who had reportedly vowed to rescue the victims.
The bandits, numbering around 63 according to their leader, clad in police uniform, are demanding a ransom of N100 million for the release of the hostages.
In the video, the bandits flaunt their captives, including women dressed in military attire with AK-47 rifles hung around their necks.
The leader taunted the government, threatening to forcibly marry the already-married bride unless the ransom was paid. The bandits also vow to sell off the hostages if their demands are not met.
The victims, which include 55 wedding guests and four members of a vigilante group, were ambushed while travelling in an open van in Sabuwa. The attackers killed the vigilante members and abducted the wedding guests, including children.
Family members of the abducted victims confirmed the ransom demand, expressing their inability to provide such a substantial amount.
Haruna Abdullahi, an uncle of the bride, said: “They are asking for N100 million as ransom. None of us has ever seen that amount of money, so I told them directly that we don’t have such funds.”
Among those kidnapped are eight sisters and nine daughters of one family, along with several other relatives.
