Kidnapped Gombe lawmaker released

The Gombe State House of Assembly member, Jalo Ganga, who was kidnapped on Sunday, has been released.

Mr. Ganga was released on Wednesday night by his captors, and was reunited with his family at about 10.30 p.m.

Speaking to newsmen in the house of the lawmaker on Thursday, the legislator’s younger brother, Abdulkadir Mohammed-Yelwa, said Mr. Ganga arrived home on a motorcycle at about 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

He said that members of his family, friends and relations were happy to receive the legislator, adding that God had answered their prayers.

“We are very happy seeing our brother. He has returned and met with his family; but right now he is not home.

“He came back and told people not to worry that he had arrived safely. May be later in the day or tomorrow, you will see him and talk with him. We thank everybody who helped us in prayers,’’ he said.

Mr. Mohammed-Yelwa said that his brother went to the Government House shortly after he met with his family.

The Gombe State Police Public Relations Officer, Fwaje Atajiri, said the lawmaker was released unconditionally.

Mr. Ganga was kidnapped at about 5.00 a.m. on Sunday while returning from his morning prayers by unknown gunmen who came on a motorcycle. He was immediately forced into a waiting vehicle and taken to an unknown destination.

Kidnapping has been on the increase in many parts of Nigeria with victims released mostly after the demands of the captors are met secretly.

Only in very few cases are the victims released through the efforts of law enforcement agencies.

NAN