After about six months in captivity, without ransom forthcoming, armed bandits operating in some parts of Niger state have released the remaining 56 farmers they abducted in Adunu village and adjoining communities in Paikoro Local Government Area of the state.

The armed bandits apparently frustrated that ransom was not forthcoming and they are spending money to keep the captives alive had earlier released a video threatening to kill the remaining people if ransom was not paid immediately.

But as luck would have it, instead of carrying out their threats, the remaining captives were released even when ransom was not paid, hence family members and their loved ones are thanking God for touching the hearts of the bandits to favour them.

Some of the family members revealing the cheering news to Daily Independent recalled how their loved ones fell victim to the armed bandits on the 14th of March, 2023 and had remained in captivity because ‘we could not raise money to pay ransom’.

Beatrice, a relative to one of the victims told our correspondent, “I am grateful to God Almighty that the armed bandits have released the remaining 56 farmers abducted from Adunu and my uncle is one of them, to God be the glory”.

Also speaking on the developments, the Coordinator of Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Catholic Diocese of Minna, Rev. Fr. Bahago Dauda Musa, confirmed that the victims have been released.

The Catholic Priest however said the returnees were in need of mental health support to recover from the emotional trauma they have been subjected to over the past six months while in the armed bandits’ den.

He said, “I have interacted with the victims of armed banditry in Niger state and I must confess that the experience hasn’t been a wonderful one; it has been very traumatic. These victims had gone through a lot, many of them or their loved ones were kidnapped”.

“So, so many of them that regained their freedom from the armed bandits are battling with series of post-traumatic disorders and that is seriously affecting their mental health, and that is why I said they needed urgent attention and rehabilitations”.

Rev. Fr. Bahago Dauda Musa is therefore appealing to the Governor Bago led administration and health experts to come to the aid of the victims by assisting them to recover from mental health to enable them to recover from the post-abduction horrific experiences.