The 12 people kidnapped in Abaji, FCT, among them eight orphans and two housewives, as well as a security guard have regained their freedom after an undisclosed ransom was paid to their abductors.
Daily Trust had reported that gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, had nine days ago invaded Rachel’s Orphanage Home in Naharati, opposite UBE Junior Secondary School, Abaji.
A source, who preferred anonymity, while speaking with our reporter yesterday, said the orphans and four others were released on Sunday around 7 pm at Kpareke village, Koton-Karfe Local Government Council of Kogi State.
He said an undisclosed ransom was paid before the abducted orphans and the other hostages were released.
“Sorry, I can’t disclose the amount for security reasons, but to God be the glory all the eight kidnapped orphans and the security guard as well as three other victims were released by their abductors on Sunday night, after ransom was paid,” he said.
A family member of one of the kidnapped victims, who spoke with our reporter, said ransom was paid, even as he said he would not disclose the amount for security reasons.
“We sold some properties and borrowed money to meet up with the ransom demanded before they were released because they threatened that if it exceeded Sunday, they would kill them,” he said.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the FCT police command, ASP Maryam Yusuf, confirmed the release of the kidnapped orphans and four others but declined to comment on ransom payment claim by families of the victims.
