A resident of one of the affected communities said the people of Askawa have paid five million naira for eighteen abducted persons and to prevent further attacks on their community.
Disclosing that some communities are yet to raise the money before the December 11 deadline given by the gunmen, he said the situation has caused panic in the affected areas.
He further disclosed that the Yanbuki community was told to pay nineteen million naira which was later reduced to ten million naira after negotiations.
The source also said they are not reporting the incidents to security agencies because according to him the security operatives will do nothing but tell them to pay the money.
In the meantime, the Commissioner for Information in the state, Ibrahim Dosara has confirmed the development but assured that the government is working with the security agencies to ensure that the communities are secured.
