KANO - One hundred civilians, kidnapped in early June by armed men in the village of Manawa in northwestern Nigeria, have regained their freedom after 42 days of captivity, Zamfara state authorities said on Tuesday. “On June 8, 2021, bandits invaded the village of Manawa and kidnapped 100 villagers including women, mostly young mothers, men and children,” according to the Zamfara state police statement. Northwestern Nigeria has been the scene for several years of the activities of criminal gangs who attack, loot and kidnap villagers, stealing their livestock and burning their homes. Zamfara authorities are used to discussing amnesty agreements with the criminal groups with whom they have been negotiating for over a year in exchange for handing over their weapons. With each release, the authorities deny paying any ransom to the kidnappers.

Source: Ethiopian News July 21, 2021 11:37 UTC