TheCable

Yohanna Sidi Kukah, paramount ruler of Ikulu chiefdom in Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna state, has regained freedom after spending 10 days in captivity.

The monarch, who is the younger brother of Matthew Kukah, Catholic bishop of Sokoto diocese, was released on Thursday afternoon.

A member of the Ikulu traditional council, Allahmagani Yohanna, announced the release of Kukah in a statement.

“With gratitude to God, we the entire Ikulu nation wish to announce the release of our Royal Father, His Royal Highness, Mr. Yohanna Sidi Kukah, the Agwam Akulu this afternoon,” the statement read.

“He is hale and hearty. We will like to thank the security agencies, various religious and traditional rulers, the media and the general public for their support, prayers and solidarity.”

The statement did not say whether the ransom was paid, but family sources said the abductors collected money.

A family member, who pleaded not to be named, said the Ikulu Development Association (IDA) approached some prominent and wealthy sons of the chiefdom to contributed money for the release of Kukah.

The source did not, however, say how much was raised.

Kukah was abducted at his private residence in Anchuna village on January 2.

The kidnappers had demanded for a ransom of N100 million but later reduced it to N20 million.

They had threatened to kill the monarch if the family failed to raise the money.