10 out of 13 abducted Zaria LG staff members released

10 out of 13 abducted Zaria LG staff members releasedThe Police Command in Kaduna has confirmed the release of 10 of the 13 abducted staff members of the Zaria Local Government, Kaduna state.

ASP Mohammed Jalige, Police Public Relations Officer, told newsmen on Sunday in Zaria that the kidnapped staff members were released on Saturday.

He said that efforts were on to ensure the release of the remaining three victims.

However, the PPRO declined comment on whether ransom was paid to secure the release of the abducted staff members.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on November 8, Mrs Deborah Mugu, Director, Education and Social Development, her deputy, Dalhatu Aliyu-Awai, and 11 other staff members of Zaria local government
were abducted by gunmen.

The staff members were abducted at Kidandan, Giwa Local Government
Kaduna state, on their way for a condolence visit to Dogara Abdullahi, a staff member who lost his father.

However, a family source told NAN that the staff members were released after payment of N40m ransom to the kidnappers.

He added that family members of the victims contributed money to pay the ransom.

He added that the kidnappers did not release three of the abducted staff members because some conditions for the release was N40m and three brand new motorcycles.

“Only the money was taken to them; that is why they refused to release the three staff members.

“The freed victims have yet to be united with their families because they ere taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical examinations,’’ he said.

When contacted, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim, Chairman, Zaria Local Government, said he could not add anything to what the family source told NAN.

When further asked on whether the council would provide the new motorcycle to get the three remaining staff members released, Ibrahim said: “Fall back to your source”. (NAN)