11 Escape from Kidnapper’s Den in Kaduna

By John Shiklam

Eleven people abducted by bandits in Kaduna state have escaped from their captors following the ongoing military operations against criminal elements terrorising the state.

The victims, according to a statement on Thursday by the Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, escaped from bandits’ camps on the outskirts of Sabon Birni town, Igabi Local Government Area of the state.

Aruwan said the ongoing security operations dislodged many of the bandits’ camps, leaving them in disarray and enabling their escape.
The statement said those who escaped were abducted in Dumbin Rauga in Zaria LGA and along the Kaduna-Zaria highway.

“Careful checks revealed that the 11 hostages are a mix of those kidnapped from Dumbin Rauga, Zaria LGA and also along the Kaduna-Zaria highway…
“It was reported that the families of those kidnapped at Dumbin Rauga had collectively paid a ransom of N3 million but the bandits reneged on the agreement to release the captives, insisting that two motorcycles must be included in the ransom deal”, Aruwan said.

According to him, the escapees were recovered by troops and had since been reunited with their families.
The commissioner said, in another development, troops of Operation Safe Haven, reported the rescue of two kidnapped victims – Barira Sulaiman Inusa and Isah Musa, around Kirti village of Jema’a LGA and were reunited with their families.

He added that one Mrs. Chioma Amanda Silver, of Ungwan Sarki Goza village, Mariri, Lere LGA of the state was rescued after the bandits, on sighting troops, abandoned her.
Aruwan said Governor Nasir El-Rufai has expressed his satisfaction with the developments after receiving reports.

The commissioner said the governor commended the efforts of the military “and the degrading effect of the onslaught on bandit hideouts across the state. “
“He also commended the swift response of the troops to rescue the kidnapped citizens in Jema’a and Lere LGAs.
“The Governor sent his prayers and best wishes to all the former hostages as they rejoined their families”, Aruwan said.