Bandits have released the village head of Rijana, Mr Ayuba Dodo Dakolo, who was abducted from his farm at Kurmi near Chikwale in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State in April.
Daily Trust gathered that Dakolo was released on Monday alongside two other members of the community after relatives offered several items including money, motorcycles and phones to the abductors.
“It was a negotiation that spanned 39 days before they released them. They are all fine but it hasn’t been easy,” said a family source who said he couldn’t divulge further information because the bandits had warned them against speaking with journalists.
Daily Trust reports that two days after Dakolo’s abduction, the bandits had requested a list of items that included motorcycles, petrol, engine oil, new tires for their motorcycles, cigarettes and recharge cards which were provided.
However, Dakolo who confirmed his release to Daily Trust, yesterday, said a portion of his farmland was sold to raise money for his release adding that his subjects, as well as relatives and friends, helped to raise the money.
“The bandits were given two motorcycles of Honda brand, they were given money but I cannot say precisely how much and they were also given phones before they released me,” he said.
He said he was released alongside two others from the community and they had all undergone medical attention and were certified healthy.
“I am resting now but they gave me dirty water while in captivity, it was not easy,” he said.
A relative of the village head who was part of the negotiations said over N3 million was spent to secure the release of the village head.
He added that Dakolo was released somewhere around Buruku in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.