Family, Police disagree as kidnapped Niger commissioner is freed

 

The family of Sani Idris, Niger State Commissioner for Information, abducted on Monday by bandits and the Nigeria Police Force have disagreed on the role played by either side on the release of the state’s chief information officer.

Idris, who was abducted at his residence at Babban-Tunga Village, Tafa Local Government Area, was released around 9.30 pm on Thursday. He showed up at Kofa Dam area of Tafa LGA and later taken to the hospital for medical attention.

In a video taken on his arrival at his residence, the Commissioner said those who abducted him were detailed to carry out the act on the basis he receives a large sum of money from the government monthly.

He said he has forgiven his abductors and left them crying in regret for abducting him.

“Allah has promised to test us. I have forgiven the people who kidnapped me. Please don’t curse them or say anything bad against them. I left them in regret.

“The kidnappers said they were contracted to kidnap me. They are from Zamfara.

“They don’t know me but the person who told them to kidnap me told them that the Governor gives me N200 million monthly.

READ: JUST IN: Niger State Commissioner for Information kidnapped

“The kidnappers never knew this village before. They were given a picture of my house and that was how they came here.

“I have forgiven my kidnappers and their connivers,” the commissioner said in Hausa language.

His family, in a statement, explained his release was facilitated by their efforts.

The statement signed by a member of the family, Ado Ada, said no ransom was paid for his release.

“His release was wholly the family efforts and no ransom was paid. The family facilitated his timely release with the divine intervention of Allah.

“The commissioner has reunited his family after receiving medical attention,” the statement reads.

However, the police, in a statement, said the commissioner was released as a result of sustained pressure and trailing of the hoodlums by the joint security team.

The statement signed by Niger Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Wasiu Abiodun, claimed immediately after his abduction, its men mobilised a joint Police, military and vigilante team to the area for manhunt of the hoodlums with a view to rescuing the victim and arrest the culprits.

According to Abiodun, after sustained pressure and trailing of the hoodlums by the joint team, the Commissioner was released.