90-yr-old kidnapped cleric regains freedom

Sheila Kanja

November 20, 2016 2:30 PM

Kidnaped Islamic cleric in Plateau, Sheikh Yusuf, has reportedly regained freedom after spending three days in captivity.

Sheikh Abdulazeez Yusuf, the 90-year-old Administrative Secretary of Plateau chapter of the Jama’atu Nasirul Islam, who was kidnapped on Wednesday, has been released, according to JNI spokesman, Sani Mudi.

“The cleric has regained his freedom alongside his driver,” Mudi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, in Jos.

He said that the kidnappers abandoned their victims “in an àrea outskirt of Kaduna”, before informing JNI of where they could located them.

Mudi, however, refused to comment on whether a ransom was paid to secure the release.

Reports had indicated that the abductors demanded N60 million before they could free the cleric and his driver.

NAN reports the cleric was kidnapped, along with his driver, on their way to Kaduna.

Mudi had told NAN on Thursday that they were kidnapped “around Saminaka in Lere Local Government, Kaduna State.”

According to him, the cleric, who coordinates the activities of JNI in six states, was on his was to Sokoto to condole the family of the late former Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, when the abductors grabbed him.

He added that the kidnappers got in touch with the JNI in Kaduna and made some demands, but declined further details.

Sheila Kanja