The Secretary of Munya Local Government Area in Niger State, Daina Usman, has escaped from his abductors barely hours after being kidnapped alongside his wife, two children, and another individual.
Council Chairman Aminu Najumei confirmed the development on Friday, revealing that Usman managed to break free while the kidnappers were searching for a hiding place.
“He escaped when the bandits were looking for a secure location to keep them,” Najumei said.
The abduction took place around 10 p.m. on Thursday in Sarkin Pawa, a community frequently targeted by criminal elements.
According to sources, armed bandits stormed Usman’s residence, located near the riverbank, and took him and his family. They then moved the hostages into the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, a known escape route for criminal groups.
A security source disclosed that after receiving a distress call, a joint task force comprising military personnel from the Forward Operating Base in Sarkin Pawa, the Niger State Police Tactical Team, and local vigilantes was mobilized for a search-and-rescue operation.
The Niger State Police Command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the abduction and Usman’s escape, assuring that efforts to rescue the remaining captives were ongoing.
“He was abducted around 10 p.m. yesterday and managed to escape around 3 a.m. today. Efforts are in progress to rescue the others,” Abiodun stated in a brief message.
