Kidnappers whisk Kaduna Councillor from home, collect N4m ransom

A Councillor representing Gwantu Ward in the Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, David Ali, has regained his freedom.

Ali was released after spending four days in the custody of his kidnappers.

He was abducted last week Thursday from his residence in Gwantu and was released on Monday night.

The chairman of Sanga LGA, Anto Usman, said the councillor was released between 8pm and 9pm on Monday.

Usman explained that while security in the council area was relatively stable, there were still “pockets of incidents” being recorded.

He attributed some of the challenges to the activities of informants aiding criminal groups.

The chairman said, “The security situation is one we will overcome in no distant time. So far this year, four arrests have been made and those suspects are facing prosecution.”

The chairman commended Governor Uba Sani for strengthening synergy among security agencies across the state, saying such efforts were helping to restore calm in many troubled areas.

A resident, who did not wish to be identified for security purpose, said the councillor was released in a bush around Ninzo community.

“His return is nothing short of an answer to prayers, and we are grateful to God for sparing his life,” the source said.

The resident revealed that about five armed men, wielding sophisticated weapons, stormed Ali’s residence on Thursday while he was asleep with his family. The attackers whisked him away to an undisclosed location.

The source said despite the intervention of security operatives and local vigilantes, the kidnappers still demanded ransom.

“Ali was eventually released after N4m was paid,” the source added.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, were unsuccessful as he neither responded to calls nor replied to text messages sent to him.