Abducted army captain, others secure freedom in Ondo, Nasarawa

A captain of the Nigerian Army attached to the 32 Artillery Brigade in Akure, the Ondo state capital, and three others, who were kidnapped a few days ago by unknown gunmen in Akoko area of Ondo state, have been rescued by security operatives.

The kidnappers had demanded N20 million for the release of the victims; however, it was learnt that the Captain and others were rescued at a forest around the boundary of Ondo and Edo states near Ibilo in the early hours of Thursday.

Confirming their release to newsmen, the spokesman of the Nigerian Army 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Captain Ayorinde Omojokun said a combined team of the Army and other security agencies rescued the military officer without paying any ransom.

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Sources said the kidnappers abandoned the victims at their den and fled.

It could be recalled that the captain and other travellers were abducted around Auga-Akoko and Ibilo Edo state axis  and were said to have been marched into the forest.

They were said to be returning from Abuja and heading to Akure when the incident occurred.

In a related development, the abducted Director of Personnel Management of Umaisha Development Area in Toto local government council of Nasarawa state, Ahmad Usman Onairo, and his son, Mohammed Mahmud Onairo have regained their freedom from the hands of their abductors after payment of N3 million ransom.

It was learnt that the victims had been in the custody of their abductors for two weeks after the kidnappers opened fire on a vehicle along Ugya-Umaisha road, killing four persons on the spot.

A member of the director’s family, who preferred anonymity, told our reporter on Thursday in Toto that the director and his son were released around 7:12 pm on Wednesday at a forest in Turunku village in the area.

He said the director and his son are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Toto due to the traumatic experience.

The spokesman of the Nasarawa state police command, ASP Ramhan Nansel, did not pick calls or reply text message sent to his phone for confirmation as of the  time of filling this report.