By Achadu Gabriel. Kaduna
An assistant Director with Central Bank of Nigeria, has been reportedly set free from Bandits captivity after paying the whopping sum of N220m cash as ransom n addition to some brand new motorbikes.
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.
About 5 people were also said to have been killed and scores of others kidnapped during the attack
The CBN assistant director, identified as Zakariya Markus 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 source who was promised anonymity Wednesday, he said the CBN staff travelled to the area in Pambeguwa Kaduna state to visit with his parents when he was kidnapped three months ago.
The source ssid mediators had tried appealing to the nandits, to release the victim, but all their efforts proved abortive.
At the time of filing this report it was not clear whether CBN was part of the ransom payment, eyewitness however said the victim who lamented the bitter experience he went through in the hands of the Bandits is now in Abuja under medical care.
The released CBN is reported to have revealed that over 200 kidnapped victims are still with the kidnappers in the forest, around the Kachia areas not too far from military formations.
“There’s a shallow hole close to the Bandits end where they push down bodies of those shot and killed for inability to met up with the ransom demanded from their families.
Details later.
Southern Kaduna people’s Union (SOKAPU) had earlier issued a statement on 16th February 2024, signed by the Union’s spokesman Josiah Yusuf Abraks, revealing that about 50 people were also said have been kidnapped in the attacked.
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.
