Silence from kidnappers heightens fear over abducted ex-minister’s whereabouts

Twenty-four hours after a former minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bagudu Hirse, was abducted by unknown gunmen in Kaduna, there is still silence from his kidnappers, Daily Trust learnt. A call to the Plateau State government on Monday by our reporter revealed that the development has deepened anxiety within his family, associates and the state […]

Twenty-four hours after a former minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bagudu Hirse, was abducted by unknown gunmen in Kaduna, there is still silence from his kidnappers, Daily Trust learnt.

A call to the Plateau State government on Monday by our reporter revealed that the development has deepened anxiety within his family, associates and the state government.

“There is no contact yet from anybody. The family has not been contacted, nobody has been contacted,” Emmanuel Nanle, a media aide to Governor Simon Lalong told Daily Trust. He said the state is deeply worried by the development.

Hirse, an elder statesman from Plateau state was abducted shortly after he alighted from his car in front of the Kaduna residence of President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, Alhaji Mamman Daura, whom he had gone to see.

Unconfirmed reports said four armed men in masks stormed on him and picked him into a waiting car which sped off instantly.

His wife, Mrs. Stella Hirse, on Sunday pleaded not to be contacted for media inquiries on the matter.

The state government said it is has been in close touch with the family since then.

“The police have been briefing us. So far, no contact has been made,” Nanle said.

Kaduna has gained notoriety in kidnap incidents recently, with personalities in the neighbouring Plateau falling victim.

Only last week the administrative Secretary of the Jama’atu Nasirl Islam (JNI) in Plateau State, Abdulaziz Yusuf, was kidnapped in Kaduna, although he has since secured his freedom.

Earlier in March, the president of Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria, Emmanuel Dziggau, was kidnapped in Kaduna alongside two other colleagues, Rev. Yakubu Dzarma; and Rev. Iliya Anto.

Dziggau and Dzarma regained their freedom later in April, but Anto was found dead.