Nigerian bandits kill 33 captives despite receiving ransom

Nigerian soldiers load on a military truck on April 21, 2022 small arms and light weapons recovered from bandits during Operation Safe Haven and during the military mop up in Jos and surrounding areas in Plateau State in northcentral Nigeria. [AFP]

Bandits in northwestern Nigeria's Zamfara state have slaughtered 33 people they had kidnapped in February despite receiving a $33,700 ransom, while three babies died in captivity, local officials and residents said Monday.

Zamfara and other states in central and northwestern Nigeria have for years been terrorised by criminal gangs who carry out deadly raids, kidnappings and arson attacks.