A tense and dramatic confrontation unfolded in Sabon Layi Babban Mutu, a village in Katsina State, after armed bandits abducted 30 residents and demanded an astonishing ransom of ₦100 million per person. The kidnappers reportedly held the villagers for several days while pressuring the community to raise the funds.
Villagers launch bold counter-operation
According to multiple eyewitness reports circulating online, the community decided to take matters into their own hands when it became clear that paying such a huge ransom was impossible. In a surprising turn of events, the villagers reportedly abducted some relatives of the bandits in retaliation.
They allegedly sent a message back to the criminals, warning that the detained family members would be harmed if the kidnapped villagers were not immediately released. This dramatic counter-abduction reportedly caused fear and confusion within the bandits’ camp, leading to a standoff that plunged the entire area into tension.
Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere as extremely volatile, with both sides waiting anxiously to see who would make the next move. The bold strategy appeared to work, as the bandits eventually freed all the abducted villagers without collecting any ransom.
To the surprise of many, some reports claimed that each released captive was even given ₦30,000 for transportation back home — a gesture that quickly sparked intense debate online.
Massive social media reactions
The story has dominated discussions across various social platforms, drawing shock, praise, criticism, and serious reflection about Nigeria’s worsening security landscape.
@MikeDoesMoney: “Which means, all these terrorists are known?”
@Kinging_SZN: “Going Aura 4 Aura with bandit is crazy.”
@dii_imma: “They tried to lie that the terrorists are not Nigerians and are imported. Can you imagine?!!”
@dkelvin33: “I have always maintained that if we carry arms and start going band for band with these terrorists, they will never kidnap anybody again in their lives. Even Gumi will be the one crying for foreign intervention!”
While opinions varied, many Nigerians argued that the incident reflects deep frustration and rising desperation in communities repeatedly targeted by armed groups. Others warned that such retaliatory tactics, though effective in this case, could escalate violence if adopted widely.
Watch the video below…
True life story in Katsina:Terrorists kidnapped 30villagers and demanded 100m each. The villagers then also kidnapped families of the terrorists in return and told the terrorists they will kill them all.
This made the terrorists release the hostages. pic.twitter.com/dC3QTEP3uw
— OurFaveOnlineDoc 🇬🇧 🇳🇬 (@OurFavOnlineDoc) November 24, 2025