Daughters of ex-Zamfara accountant-general freed — after 7 months in captivity

Bandits have released the abducted daughters of Abubakar Furfuri, a former accountant-general in Zamfara state.

The five girls were reportedly abducted from their home in Furfuri, a community in Bungudu LGA in March.

In October, their kidnappers were said to have released a video showing the girls carrying firearms and threatened to recruit them into banditry if the ransom they demanded was not paid.

Zailani Bappa, special adviser to the governor on public enlightenment, confirmed their release. He said the girls were handed over to Bello Matawalle, the governor, on Monday.

According to Bappa, a combined effort of the police and other security operatives led to the rescue of the girls unharmed.

Matawalle commended the security forces for the efforts made and urged them to put an end to banditry in the state.

The governor noted that intelligence reports showed that the girls were abducted successfully with the help of informants who were either family members or close associates.

The governor appealed to citizens of the state to “courageously fight informants” by reporting suspects to the authorities without fear.

“Without informants, bandits will be strongly incapacitated and will easily be defeated,’’ he said.

He directed officials to take the girls for proper medical checks and counselling before reuniting them with their family.