TheCable

Yusuf Abubakar, a district head in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna state who was abducted by kidnappers, has reportedly escaped from captivity.

Abubakar was abducted at gunpoint alongside, Ibrahim Musa, a former education secretary of the LGA, along the Kaduna-Birnin-Gwari highway on  December 18.

A total of N3.5 million was said to have been paid as ransom of the duo but only the former education secretary was released.

The bandits reportedly refused to release the district and demanded more money.

In a statement on Friday, Ibrahim Nagwari, chairman of the Birnin Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance, said the district head escaped from his captors on Thursday night.

He said the traditional ruler escaped two days after the former education secretary was released.

“The district head escaped in the night yesterday (Thursday) at Sabon Birni village behind Kaduna International Airport around 5.30am and sent an urgent message to a close associate to pick him,” Nagwari said.

“In the last 48 hours after the release of the former education secretary and Wakilin Makaranta of Birnin-Gwari, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa, the faith of the district head was doubtful after a payment of N3.5 million was made to the kidnappers which they tagged part payment.

“After long hours of uncertainty and threat to the life of the district head, he miraculously escaped to freedom after the kidnappers led by Dogo Gide went asleep.

“We the people of Birnin-Gwari are grateful to Allah for his freedom and others that were abducted and regained their freedom after ransom was  paid.

“Those who lost their lives in the hands of this criminals, we prayed for Allah’s forgiveness and may Allah reward them with comfortable home of Aljannah.

“Finally, while commending efforts of our security volunteers and security forces stationed in our area, we are calling on all citizens and residents of Birnin-Gwari local area to be extra vigilant and expose those informants that connive with kidnappers in our respective communities.”

Nagwari also condemned what he described as “the Kangaroo peace accord” with armed bandits championed by the Birnin-Gwari local government administration, saying “enough is enough”.

Three brothers: Jonathan Obi, Joakin Obi and Benjamin Obi, who were also abducted on December 19, were also released following the payment of a ransom.

According to sources, the  three bothers were said to have been released on December 21 after the payment of N12 million.