By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
After spending about 47 days in captivity, the Chacho village abducted bride to be, and her friends have finally regained their freedom, local sources confirmed.
The freedom however did not just come without a cost as relatives of those abducted have to pay a ten million (10) naira ransom, in addition to additional three (3) brand new motorcycles.
Prior to the abduction, Chacho village in Wurno local government was in high spirit as preparations for the wedding almost reached crescendo before tragedy stroke on the eve of the wedding.
24 hours before the scheduled wedding, bandits invaded the village, went straight to the bride’s house, whisked her and her friends away.
A heartbroken member of the family who spoke on condition of anonimosity, said they had intel that their abducted relatives and lots more were held captive at one of the bandits enclaves in the Sububu forest of Isa/Sabon Birni local government areas, Sokoto State but could not do anything because they are not armed.
The forest which stretched to Niger Republic and Zamfara State in Nigeria is considered a safe haven for criminal elements, especially, those terrorizing Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
Speaking aftermath of the release, one of the victims relatives said, they are currently recieving medical attention in a hospital which he refused to disclose for the security of their lives.
Continuing, the relative said, those abducted were held for long because of the delay in meeting the ransom requirement.
“You know, as villagers, we do not have such money either at home or in the bank. We have to sell our belongings and other valuables as well as solicit for support from concerned citizens to be able to meet the ever changing demands of the bandits.
“It took us 7 weeks to negotiate and also meet up with the ransom requirement which is 10 million naira cash, 3 motorcycles with each costing around one million eight hundred thousand naira and other food items.
Another resident who spoke on the development but pleaded not to be mentioned, appealed to the Federal Government to equip security agencies with modern technology to be able to locate wherever these bandits are in the forest.
He also insisted on application of severe kinetic approach as the possible deterrent to those perpetrating such dastardly act against fellow human beings, adding negotiation with criminals such as bandits and terrorists will never yield any desired positive result.
Effort to speak to Wurno local government council chairman, Hon. Aba Sadiq Isa Achida on the development proved abortive as he neither picked his calls not respond to text message sent to his mobile line before filing this report.
On his part, the Public Relations Officer of Sokoto Police Command DSP Ahmed Rufai said they are yet to get details of the development, promising however to reach out to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area before reverting back.
