Ex-Minister Regains Freedom after Six Days in Captivit

John Shiklam in Kaduna
Former minister of foreign affairs, Mr. Bagudu Hirse who was abducted by unknown gunmen last Sunday was released yesterday in Kaduna after six days in captivity.

Confirming the release in a telephone chat, his daughter, Dr. Nanbam Bupwatda, who spoke with THISDAY, said her father was released by the kidnappers in the early hours of Saturday and expressed gratitude to God.

She however declined to say whether a ransom was paid before his release, but a source close to the family said an undisclosed amount of money was paid to the kidnappers.

Spokesman of the Kaduna state police command, Aliyu Usman, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), however said no ransom was paid. According to him, Hirse was released due to the pressure mounted by the police in the efforts to rescue him.

“No ransom was paid; what is of interest to us is that the former minister has been released. He was released due to pressure mounted by the police and has been reunited with his family members. He did not sustain any physical injury”, Usman said in a telephone interview with THISDAY.

Hirse was abducted last Sunday in Kaduna near the residence of Alhaji Mamman Daura. He, in company of a friend were heading to Daura’s residence shortly after paying condolence visit to the Kaduna family home of the late Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, and were few metres away when unknown gunmen abducted him.