Abuja monarch regains freedom after 18 days in captivity

The abducted traditional ruler of Bukpe community in Kwali Area Council of Abuja, Alhaji Hassan Shamidozhi, has regained freedom from his abductors after 18 days in captivity. It was also learnt that a man, Ahmad Joel and his daughter, Precious Joel, who were also abducted along with the monarch have been released by their abductors […]

The abducted traditional ruler of Bukpe community in Kwali Area Council of Abuja, Alhaji Hassan Shamidozhi, has regained freedom from his abductors after 18 days in captivity.

It was also learnt that a man, Ahmad Joel and his daughter, Precious Joel, who were also abducted along with the monarch have been released by their abductors after payment of N2.5 million ransom.

Daily Trust had reported that kidnappers on March 30, 2022 invaded the monarch’s palace in Bukpe community and abducted him alongside two residents of the community.

The monarch, who spoke exclusively with our reporter at his palace on Sunday, said his abductors released him along with two of his subjects around 6:12pm on Saturday.

He disclosed that his family members, relatives and friends contributed to raise the sum of N4 million after intensive negotiations for weeks before his abductors later accepted the ransom and set him free.

He advised government to intensify efforts towards addressing bandits and kidnappers’ problems not only in FCT but across the country.

The spokeswoman of the FCT police command, DSP Adeh Josephine, was yet to reply to a text message sent to her to confirm the release of the monarch and the ransom claim.