A farmer in Niger State, Aliyu Alaramma Kawon Kontagora, has recounted how he survived a violent kidnapping ordeal after allegedly being shot in the head, tortured for five days and held captive by suspected gunmen linked to notorious bandit leader Dogo Gide before escaping without any ransom being paid.
Aliyu said he and his younger brother were working with others to prepare farmland in the Kulho forest when armed men riding motorcycles suddenly appeared. Realising the danger, they attempted to flee, but the attackers chased them through the farmland.
According to him, the kidnappers eventually caught up with the group and began assaulting them. Refusing to surrender, Aliyu said he fought back by throwing stones at the gunmen and wrestling one of them, causing the attacker to drop his machete. He briefly escaped by hiding in thick vegetation before climbing a tree, where he watched the gunmen search for him.
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His hiding place was eventually discovered after one of the armed men spotted him in the tree. Aliyu said he continued resisting after climbing down, but the attackers overpowered him. During the struggle, he was reportedly slashed with a sword before one of the gunmen shot him in the head, leaving him unconscious.
He said he later regained consciousness beside a stream and found that his younger brother had also been captured. The kidnappers allegedly forced him to record a video for his family, demanding an initial ransom of ₦100 million while threatening to kill him if the money was not paid.
Aliyu said the captives were taken deeper into the forest, where they joined several other kidnapped victims. He claimed the victims were chained together, blindfolded and given very little food or water, with only small portions of plain rice served once daily.
The farmer also alleged that the gunmen searched his phone and believed he was wealthy after finding photographs suggesting he had political and military connections. Following negotiations with one of his friends, the ransom demand was reportedly reduced from ₦100 million to ₦10 million.
Despite the negotiations, Aliyu insisted he could not raise the money and repeatedly pleaded for medical attention because of his gunshot wound. He alleged that the kidnappers instead restrained him and forcefully administered an injection.
According to Aliyu, the armed men openly identified themselves as members of Dogo Gide’s criminal network and discussed planned attacks as well as clashes with the Lakurawa group. His younger brother, who understands Fulfulde, reportedly translated many of the conversations.
As ransom negotiations stalled, Aliyu said the kidnappers intensified their punishment by denying the captives food and water for two days. After spending five days in captivity, he and his younger brother eventually escaped without any ransom being paid.
The incident highlights the continuing security challenges facing rural communities in Niger State, where armed bandit groups have continued to carry out kidnappings and attacks despite ongoing security operations in the region.
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