Many local marketers were kidnapped on Saturday, Sept. 9 while in transit to the weekly market in Bagega village, northwestern Nigeria. One of the abductees who escaped said it was in response to the shutdown of the cow market in the village.

Many local marketers were kidnapped on Saturday, Sept. 9 while in transit to Bagega for the weekly market in Anka, North West Nigeria. Residents say the number of people abducted is well over 50.

The kidnapping happened in the Darita forest area at about 12:30 p.m. WAT when the armed terrorists intercepted nine trucks and Golf wagon cars conveying luggage and passengers to Bagega village.

Sule Ado, 38, from Kurfa-Danya village of Anka LGA, narrowly escaped the hostage situation after reaching the terrorists’ camp with the other abductees. He told HumAngle, “We were moved to Kawaye forest by Halilu Buzu’s armed boys.”

“On getting there, they told us that the government is biassed for closing the cow market in Bagega because they [terrorists] brought rustled cows, while the Hausa people are free to access their markets without sanctions. One of the armed marauders disclosed to us that they will attack the Bagega market in the coming days,” Sule Ado told HumAngle.

It could be recalled that on Sept. 2, the Zamfara State Government, through the office of the Commissioner Ministry of Information and Culture, Munnir Muazu Haidara, ordered the closure of cow markets in Danjibga, Kuncin-Kalgo Tsafe LGA; Bagega, Wuya Anka LGA; Dangulbi, Dansadau in Maru LGA; and Dauran in Zurmi LGA; including Nasarawa-Burkullu in Bukuyum LGA.