By Ismail Auwal
Boko Haram insurgents have released Yobe State government official and his friend kidnapped four months ago.
The protocol officer with the state government identified ad Ali and his friend, identified only as Mustapha, were abducted alongside two Nigerian soldiers along the Maiduguri-Damaturu road on July 24.
The insurgents later executed the two soldiers.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that the two men were released on Thursday evening amidst speculations that ransom was paid for their release.
A family source who asked not to be named confirmed to the paper that the two men were reunited with their families on Thursday evening.
“Mai Lalle and Mustapha were freed this evening and are now with their family members. They have to undergo a medical check-up but that will be handled at a confidential level,” the source informed.
Asked to confirm the speculation that a huge ransom was paid to the abductors, the source was evasive.
“The most important thing is the fact that they are out of the hands of Boko Haram. My brother, let’s pray that this kind of thing does not happen to anyone close to you,” the source said.
Friends, family members, and colleagues of the government official have been celebrating his release on social media since the news broke Thursday evening.
