UK Condemns Zamfara Killings Despite ₦50M Ransom Payment

The Zamfara killings have sparked international outrage as the UK government strongly condemned the recent massacre in Banga village.

Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, described the killings as an “unspeakable crime” and demanded urgent justice.

During a high-level security briefing, she stated the incident severely damages mental health, economic progress, and social cohesion nationwide.

“This crime damages well-being, retards progress, and we must stop this violence before it consumes more Nigerian communities,” Lever stressed.

She made the remarks at the State Expansion Programme briefing for the Anti‑Kidnap Fusion Cell, a UK–Nigeria security partnership.

The programme is a collaborative effort between the UK government and Nigeria’s National Counter‑Terrorism Centre (NCTC) to combat abductions.

According to local sources, the Banga attack involved 56 kidnapped residents, but only 18 were released after the ransom payment.

Despite receiving ₦50 million, the armed bandits, led by a notorious kingpin known as Dan Sadiya, still executed 38 victims.

Chairman of Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area, Mannir Haidara Kaura, confirmed the incident and condemned the killings as inhumane.

He also revealed that the freed victims are currently receiving treatment at a medical facility and remain in fragile condition.

Lever extended condolences to the families affected and urged Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts against terrorism and rural violence.

The UK pledged continued support for Nigeria’s anti-kidnapping strategies and reiterated its role in enhancing local counter-terrorism intelligence.

This latest incident exposes the persistent breakdown of security in Zamfara and underscores the urgency of reforming local policing frameworks.

Human rights advocates and local leaders have renewed calls for technology-backed rural surveillance and swift prosecution of known terrorist leaders.

Previously, President Tinubu’s administration announced funding to strengthen rural security networks across bandit-prone regions, but implementation remains slow.

For more insight on the UK’s anti-kidnap partnership, visit UK Home Office – Nigeria Security Cooperation.