Kidnapped cleric freed by police, two suspects nabbed in Kaduna

A cleric who was kidnapped on Nov. 3 has been freed by the police in Kaduna State, with the help of a vigilante group. The police spokesman in the state, ASP Mansur Hassan, said in Kaduna on Monday that the kidnappers had demanded N4 million as ransom from the cleric’s family before the police intervened.

He said that the police at Kafanchan Divisional Headquarters received the report of the kidnapping on Nov. 4 and tracked down the kidnappers to Dogon Kurmi Forest, where they exchanged fire with them.

“The police operatives successfully overpowered the hoodlums and rescued the clergyman without any injury. Two suspects, who live in Datti and Dogon Kurmi villages, were arrested in connection with the kidnapping. An AK-47 rifle with two live 7.62x39mm bullets was recovered from the suspects,’’ Hassan said.

He added that two other kidnappers escaped. Hassan appealed to the public to report anyone with bullet wounds to the nearest police station or any security agency.