Kaduna council members who were kidnapped were released after four days in captivity

David Ali, a member of the council representing Gwantu Ward in the Sanga Regional Government area in the State of Kaduna, has regained his freedom after spending four terrible days in the detention of the kidnappers.

Ali was kidnapped on Thursday night when five armed men invaded his residence in the city of Gwantu. The attackers, reportedly using sophisticated weapons, took him away in front of his fearful family shortly after midnight, throwing the whole community panicked.

Confirming the release of the council, Sanga Regional Government Chair, Anto Usman, said Ali was released between 8 pm and 21:00 on Monday.

While convincing the population that security in the area remains “relatively stable,” Usman admitted that the attack pockets still occur, most of the collaboration of insiders with criminal gangs.

“We are trying to curb most of the hotspots, and we hold a periodic security meeting to ensure our local government is safer for our people. So far this year, four arrests have been made, and the suspects have faced the prosecution.

“The security situation is a situation that we will overcome in a time that is not far away. You know that insecurity cannot be avoided given the complex nature of human society,” he said.

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Usman also praised the Governor of Uba Sani for strengthening collaboration among security institutions, noting that the governor’s intervention helped restore peace in the problematic Kaduna region.

A resident of Gwantu, who refused to be named for security reasons, revealed that Ali was released in the bush around the Ninzo community after his family was reportedly paying a ransom ₦ 4 million.

“The return is not the answer to prayer, and we thank God for saving his life,” said the resident.

The kidnapping of members of the council has triggered anger throughout the community, with residents lamenting the inability of the two security operators and residents to save them before ransom is paid.

Since being released, party stakeholders, constituents, and supporters have flooded social media with helpful messages, describing Ali as a “true representative of people” who experienced traumatic trials.