Zamfara bandits release colonel, children after N10m ransom

Zamfara bandits on Tuesday released Col Rabiu Garba Yandoto (retd.) and his children after the payment of N10 million ransom.

Speaking to The PUNCH on telephone shortly after the release, Yandoto said the bandits were given N10 million instead of the N5 million earlier mentioned.

Yandoto said, “They collected N10 million and brought me together with my children near Faskari town in Katsina State and told us to find our way home.

“As I am speaking to you, we were released barely one hour ago and I thanked God that I was not killed while in the bandits’ camp.”

He thanked all those who contributed to his release.

When asked whether his abduction was politically motivated, Yandoto said, “I can’t rule out that possibility. I don’t want to say much about the issue now.”

Yandoto and his two children were abducted by bandits along Gusau-Tsafe road when he was returning to his village few days ago.

One of Yandoto’s relations who begged for anonymity told The PUNCH that the bandits called him and demanded N50 million ransom.

The money, according to the relative, was, however, reduced to N5 million, following series of negotiations between the bandits and the family.

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