By Sunday Elijah
Traditional ruler of Bukpe community in Kwali Area Council of Abuja, Mr. Hassan Shamidozhi, has regained freedom after spending weeks in the hands of kidnappers.
Mr Shamidozhi was abducted from his palace amidst gunshots on 30th March and returned home on Saturday night after payment of ransom.
Daily Trust Newspapers reports that the traditional ruler was released alongside Mr. Ahmad Joel and his daughter, Miss Precious Joel, both residents of the community, after payment of N2.5 million.
The kidnappers initially demanded N20 million as a ransom for the monarch, but later collected N4 million before letting him off on Saturday evening.
As reported, the released abductees were released in a forest near Zokutu village, from where they trekked to Abaji-Toto road before getting a vehicle home.
In his interaction with sympathizers at his palace on Sunday, Mr Shamidozhi said he did not believe he could make it back home back alive.
Recounting his experience at the camp of his abductors, the monarch described his bitter experience as one he would not wish for his enemies.
He pegged the number of the kidnappers at over 200 with sophisticated weapons and different camps.
“I don’t pray for my enemy to be a victim, because with what I saw with my eyes, I couldn’t believe I will return home alive. These bandits were over 200 with sophisticated weapons and different camps,” he reportedly said.
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Mr Shamidozhi and the two freed residents were among the growing list of living casualties of insecurity in Nigeria.
The FCT, like its neighbouring states, recently became a soft target for kidnappers as the number of victims in satellite towns continues to grow daily.
Communities in Abaji, Kuje, Bwari and Kwali have recently witnessed high cases of abductions with little or no resistance from the police or other security operatives within the areas.
A Chief Imam of Yangoji Central Mosque in Kwali Area, Abdullahi Gbedako, and his sons, Aliyu Abubakar and Ibrahim Abubakar, were also kidnapped from their home in late 2021.
Residents of the Kuje Area Council have also recorded a similar trend of abductions in recent years.
