Abducted Niger monarch regains freedom after 10 days in captivity

A traditional ruler, Malam Muhammadu Dahiru, recently kidnapped in Niger State, has been released.

Dahiru, who is the Esu of Jibi under Tafa Local Government Area in Niger State, was abducted penultimate Monday.

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Daily Trust reported how a group of gunmen, said to be led by a woman, stormed his palace around 11pm, injuring two members of the area’s vigilante in the process, before abducting him.

A younger brother to the monarch, Ibrahim Dahiru, yesterday told Daily Trust Saturday that the kidnappers called him over the phone on Wednesday morning, demanding N15 million ransom.

“I travelled on a motorbike to Jere town and headed into the deep bush around Kubacha in Kagarko Local Government Area in Kaduna State, where I met them,” he said.

“They seized the motorcycle and held me there until around 11pm when they ordered me to leave with the Esu.

“We trekked throughout the night, and at day break, we engaged a commercial motorcyclist to convey us to the main road, before arriving back home on Thursday afternoon,” Ibrahim added