After spending 67 days in captivity, fourteen residents who were abducted in Kubuwo and neighboring Kaguni communities in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been released. The abduction took place when bandits invaded the two communities, taking the victims amidst sporadic gunfire.
Shehu Bala, a family member of one of the victims, confirmed the release on Thursday, stating that the freedom was secured on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, in a forest situated on the borders of Kachia and Kagarko LGAs of the state. The ransom paid to the bandits included undisclosed amounts, along with food items, alcoholic beverages, cartons of cigarettes, drugs, Indian hemp, and recharge cards. Unfortunately, a teenage boy among the captives passed away at the bandits’ hideout due to an illness.
Bala mentioned that the freed victims are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital. The Madaki of Kudiri village, Malami Wakili Iliya, also affirmed the release of the victims. He specified that the abducted individuals were from the villages of Kubuwo and Kaguni. However, he noted that 19 other victims abducted from his village are still in captivity, despite ransom payments. The bandits, communicating through telephone, are reportedly demanding two motorcycles before releasing the remaining captives.
