Residents of Ungwan Nungu in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State are gripped by fear after terrorists issued a series of threats to launch a retaliatory attack on the community following a military operation that killed two insurgents and led to the recovery of weapons and about N1.6 million cash.
The threats were contained in a Hausa-language voice recording obtained by Starnews on Friday, in which the terrorists accused the community of alerting soldiers who later ambushed them during a ransom-collection attempt.
According to multiple community sources, the trouble began on November 29 when ten villagers—six women and four men—were abducted from their farms. The attackers reportedly targeted residents working on farmlands, a pattern now common in the area.
Sources said that on Friday morning, troops intercepted the terrorists as they attempted to collect ransom money for the abducted victims. During the ambush, soldiers killed two insurgents and seized an AK-47 rifle, one round of 9mm ammunition, and the cash believed to be ransom payment.
In the circulating audio message, one of the terrorists vowed the group would “retaliate” for the loss of their men and the confiscated rifle, threatening widespread attacks across farmlands, roads, and villages unless the community paid for the seized weapon.
“Everything the soldiers did to us, we shall repay you people,” the terrorist said. “If we are still alive, we will definitely retaliate… From next month, after we have fully prepared, we are coming back.”
He further claimed that the stolen rifle must be paid for, warning that “only God knows how many lives will be lost” if the community refuses.
Another resident recalled an earlier incident in which 15 people, mostly children, were abducted in the same area. Some victims, including one identified as Zuberu Adiga, were abandoned by the terrorists after they became too weak to keep up.
In the recording, a community representative denied claims that villagers informed the military of the terrorists’ movements, insisting they had no role in the ambush.
“The Nigerian military is angry because yesterday we took money to deliver to you and we did not inform them,” the villager said. “We did not send soldiers to you people.”
Residents say they now feel unprotected and fear imminent attacks despite the recent military operation.
Ungwan Nungu and surrounding communities have suffered repeated kidnappings, extortion, and attacks, with locals accusing authorities of failing to provide adequate security.
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