18 kidnapped Kano traders regain freedom

The 18 Kano traders kidnapped at Kogi State on their way to Aba, Abia State have regained freedom.

The 18 Kano traders kidnapped in Kogi State on their way to Aba, Abia State have regained freedom.

The businessmen who were mostly from Kwari Market Textile Market were released on Sunday.

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One Aljhaji Mansur, who has been the spokesperson of the victims since their abductions on January 1 confirmed the payment of ransom and the release of the traders to a radio station in Kano.

He however refused to disclose the amount purportedly paid to secure the release of the victims.

Daily Trust reports that unknown gunmen along Lokoja-Okene expressway in Kogi State had abducted 18 Kwari Market traders in Kano State, who were on a business trip to Aba in Abia State.

The victims reunite with families

Meanwhile, the rescued businessmen have reunited with their families after they were freed by their abductors.

They arrived Kano in the early hours of Sunday after securing their release from the kidnappers’ den earlier on Saturday.

One of the freed victims, Abdulkarim Hassan, who also confirmed the release to Daily Trust said that most of them “are now receiving special medical treatments in hospital as a result of the torture they suffered in the hands of their kidnappers.

“We arrived Kano early this (Sunday) morning after our release yesterday.

“We appreciate all those who prayed for our freedom and those who contributed in paying the ransom,” Hassan said.

He confirmed to Daily Trust that ransom was paid before securing their release, though declined further comment on the amount paid.