In an operation that resulted in the death of one of the kidnapped people, Nigeria’s police reported Sunday that they had liberated 58 hostages held by gangs in the central state of Kogi.
One of the difficulties President-elect Bola Tinubu will face following the contested presidential election in February is the kidnappings. Tinubu is scheduled to take office in May.
According to a spokesman for the police, Josephine Adeh, “58 individuals taken hostage in Udulu woodland were rescued.” The location of the kidnappings and the length of time the victims were held hostage were not disclosed.
- There have been at least 33 shooting deaths in northwest Nigeria.
- Nigerians are barred from entering the US because they are ‘undermining’ democracy.
One of them “was unfortunately injured during the operation and died on the spot… 58 other people were treated in a hospital”, added Josephine Adeh.
The rescue operation was conducted with other security agencies and hunters from several local communities,” she said.
After a shootout, the hostage-takers fled, leaving the hostages behind, according to the police.
Kidnapping has become a very lucrative business in Nigeria with ransom payments. To counter the scourge, the Central Bank of Nigeria last year changed bank notes and imposed restrictions on weekly cash withdrawals.
But facing strong public opposition and a court ruling, it allowed the old notes to be used again in March until the end of this year.
