Nine abducted ABU students regain freedom after a week in captivity

Nine students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna state, who were abducted by gunmen a week ago have reportedly regained their freedom.

They were abducted during an attack on motorists along Kaduna-Abuja road last Sunday.

The students, from the department of French, were travelling to Lagos for a programme at the Nigerian French Language Village (NFLV) in Badagry.

Dickson Oko, one of the students who escaped but suffered a gunshot wound, said the kidnappers had already reached out to the families of the students to demand N30 million each for their freedom.

There are reports that kidnappers reduced the ransom to N1 million for each student.

Speaking with TheCable on Sunday, Ashiru Zango, ABU’s chief security officer, said he got information that they have been released.

Zango asked to call back for further details.

“I am still awaiting details from the (French) head of department,” he said.

“But someone told me that they have been released.”

Corroborating Zango’s statement, Julius Mutum who said he is the brother of one of the victims, tweeted that his sister has been released.

“Some of the #ABU9 including my sister have just regained their freedom. Strictly by family efforts. Thank you @TheAbusite for lending your voice when everyone including govt and security agents didn’t care,” he tweeted.

Some of the #ABU9 including my sister have just regained their freedom. Strictly by family efforts. Thank you @TheAbusite for lending your voice when everyone including govt and security agents didn't care. https://t.co/0kbf300HzG

— MUTUM (@julius_mutum) November 22, 2020