Bandits Re-abduct Trader in Zamfara One Year After Paying N2m Ransom
- Suspected bandits have re-abducted a Zamfara trader, Muhammadu Lakada, exactly one year after he was first kidnapped and ransomed for N2 million
- The attackers struck at his Yan Uku residence in Talata Mafara LGA, taking him, his son, and a neighbour before fleeing into the night
- The incident has sparked mass displacement, with villagers abandoning their homes amid rising targeted abductions of traders and farmers for ransom
The wave of banditry in Zamfara state has taken another disturbing turn as suspected armed men re-abducted a trader, Muhammadu Lakada, exactly one year after he was first kidnapped and forced to pay N2 million ransom for his release.
Legit.ng gathered that Lakada was seized again on Tuesday night, August 20, 2025, at his residence in Yan Uku community, Garbadu ward, Talata Mafara local government area.
Source: Original
The attack happened shortly after he returned from the market around 8pm.
Zamfara: Sibling confirms abduction
Confirming the incident, his younger brother, Shehu Muhammed, told Legit.ng that the bandits invaded the house and whisked him away alongside his son, Abubakar Muhammad, and a neighbour identified as Lauwali.
He said:
“One year after, bandits have again abducted my senior brother at his residence, shortly after he came back from market around 8pm on Tuesday.
“This is the second time they are taking him to their den in one year, as the same incident happened to him last year in exactly this month. He was taken to the bush along with two other people including his son, but they eventually released his son and gave him a phone number to report back at home.”
Source: Facebook
Zamfara villagers flee en masse
Community members disclosed to Legit.ng that the latest abduction comes after a series of coordinated raids across Yan Uku and nearby villages in recent days.
Several residents have been kidnapped, while dozens of households have abandoned their homes out of fear.
A local source explained:
“Majority of the villagers migrated to other states as a result of this issue. As I’m talking to you now, someone called me from the village saying the bandits were sighted in neighbouring villages, so people are trooping out, leaving their houses to save their lives and only return the next morning.”
The source added that communities like Farin Dutse were attacked in broad daylight, with residents abducted in public view before being taken away to unknown locations.
Banditry for profit
Findings by Legit.ng indicate that the recent wave of attacks points to a clear economic motivation by the gunmen.
Locals said the bandits deliberately targeted traders, farmers, and households believed to have the financial capacity to meet ransom demands.
By selecting victims with means, the attackers are ensuring steady payouts while sustaining their criminal enterprise, which has left communities in Zamfara impoverished, displaced, and living in constant fear.
At the time of filing this report, the Zamfara state Police Command had yet to comment on the incident. Multiple calls made to the command spokesman, Yezid Abubakar, were left unanswered.
Bandits kill over 35 in Zamfara
Earlier, Legit.ng reported at least 35 abductees were killed by kidnappers in Nigeria’s northern Zamfara state, despite families having paid substantial ransom sums for their release, a local government official told the BBC.
The mass abduction occurred in March when 56 individuals were seized from Banga village, located in the Kauran Namoda Local Government Area.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
