Kidnapped Kano House Member Regains Freedom

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

A House of Representatives member, Garba Durbunde, who was abducted on Tuesday, has regained his freedom.

The spokesperson of the House, Abdulrazak Namdas, confirmed this development yesterday evening.

He said the lawmaker, who represents the Takai/Sumaila Federal Constituency in Kano State, had been released and since reunited with his family, reported the online news site, Premium Times yesterday.

“He has been released unhurt and is with his family,” Namdas said.

When asked if any ransom was paid before he was released, Mr. Namdas said: “I learnt he wasn’t the actual target so he was released without any ransom.”

Following the lawmaker’s abduction, the Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje express shock over the incident.

The governor had called on the police and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the House of Representatives member.

Durbunde was kidnapped by unknown men at Jere, along the Kaduna-Abuja Road at about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, as he was driving alone in his personal car back to Abuja.

Durbunde, a close ally of former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had served as the Commissioner for Rural Development under Ganduje’s predecessor.

Prior to his release, an aide to the lawmaker had confirmed the kidnapping of his principal yesterday. Preferring not to be named, he said: “I can confirm to you that Hon. Durbunde is nowhere to be found, we believe it’s kidnappers that abducted him.

“We are yet to establish his whereabouts and have no clue who his abductors are, but we have informed all the relevant security agencies about the incident.”