The Niger State Commissioner for Information Mohammed Idris has regained freedom from bandits who abducted him on Monday.
Top government officials in the state confirmed the return of the commissioner to Channels Television on Thursday.
Idris was released around 9:30pm at a location in Suleja after which he was taken to a hospital for medical check-up.
The officials, however, said no ransom was paid before the commissioner was released by his abductors.
Speaking after his release, the commissioner expressed gratitude to God for protecting him during his stay in the bandits’ den.
“As a Muslim, prayer is the the best shield against evil. Allah has a way of testing the faith of believers,” he said.
“My abductors regretted their cruel action and I have forgiven them. I urge you to forgive them too.”
Mr. Idris was kidnapped at about one o’clock in the early hours of Monday from his home at Baban Tunga village in Tafa local government of the state
Kidnappings have been on the rise in the northwest and central of Nigeria where heavily-armed groups have been operating. Foreign workers have also been occasionally targeted for ransom abduction.
Last weekend, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was kidnapped in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
Aminu Bobi who is the Zone C chairman of the ruling party in the state was kidnapped on his farm.
A resident of the area confirmed the incident via a telephone conversation in Minna.
