by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
An Assistant Director with Central Bank of Nigeria has been reportedly set free from bandits’ captivity after paying a whopping sum of N220m cash as ransom with some brand new motorbikes to them.
The Assistant Director was reportedly kidnapped along with his younger brother on 16th February, 2024, during a terror attack, which occurred at Kwassam and Sabon Layin kan Makama, both in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. About five persons were also said to have been killed and scores of others kidnapped during the attack.
The CBN assistant director spent roughly three months in the bandits’ den before he was released Tuesday, somewhere around Kachia, in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State, according to a known source.
According to a dependable source (who was promised anonymity Wednesday), the CBN staff victim travelled to the area in Pambeguwa, Kaduna State, to greet his parents when he was kidnapped three months ago through an informant.
Close family source and mediators had tried to appeal to the bandits to release the victim freely, but all their efforts proved abortive.
Rather, the bandits threatened the victim with death, which prompted the move for payment of the ransom with motorcycles.
At the time of filing this report, it was not clear whether CBN was a contributor to the ransom payment. An eyewitness, however, said the victim, who lamented the bitter experienced he went through in the hand of the bandits, is now in Abuja in hospital.
The released CBN staff has, however, made some revelations indicating that, over 200 kidnapped victims are still left behind, languishing in the bandits’ den within Kachia vicinity, not too far from military formations in the area.
“There’s a shallow hole close to the bandits’ end where they push down bodies of those shot and killed for inability to meet-up with the ransom demanded from their families.
Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) had earlier issued a statement, dated 16th February, 2024, signed by its spokesman, Josiah Yusuf Abraks, revealing that about 50 people were also said have been kidnapped in the attack.
The SOKAPu statement had read in parts: “Information reaching SOKAPU states that terror attacks have taken place yesterday (16/02/24) at Kwassam and Sabon Layin kan Makama, both in Kauru Local Government Area. At Kwassam, about 5 people were said to have been killed and scores of others kidnapped, including a former Assistant Director of the CBN and his younger brother.
“While at Sabon Layin kan Makama, about 50 people were said to have been kidnapped. These atrocities continually being visited on citizens of the state are despicable and highly condemnable, and we hereby unequivocally condemn the acts and their perpetrators.
“We call on the State Government and all relevant authorities not to relent in their good works, but to step up and remain steadfast in ensuring the safety and peace of all law abiding citizens of the state. Members of every community should, please, be organized and alert to detect unusual movements and presence of things around them, to help the authorities with pre-emptive actions.
“We sincerely condole with all affected family members and relations, and pray that we see to the end of these atrocities soonest,” it stated.