By Ismail Auwal
After spending more than a month in captivity, Dr I. G. Bako, the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria’s (ABU) lecturer abducted by unknown gunmen, has finally regained his freedom, Sahelian Times can exclusively reveal.
Bako was abducted on 23rd of November in his residence at ABU main campus staff quarters.
It could be recalled that a day after bandits released nine abducted students of the French Department of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, gunmen invaded the institution and kidnapped the lecturer.
According to a statement by Auwalu Umar, the institution’s Director of Public Affairs, the incident took place at Sardauna crescent on the main campus.
The university spokesperson said the lecturer was initially kidnapped along with his wife and daughter.
He said the wife and daughter were released “when security agents chased the kidnappers into the bush.”
“At about 12:50 a.m. on Monday, 23rd November, 2020, kidnappers invaded the house of a staff member of the university on Sardauna crescent, area BZ, main campus, Samaru, Zaria. They went away with him along with his wife and daughter.
“The University security division quickly informed the operatives of the police intelligence response team that advanced to the scene following the distress call. There was an exchange of fire between the kidnappers and the mobile police operatives. When it was clear that they would be overpowered, the kidnappers ran into the bush along with the victims.
“As the police went after them up to kasuwar Da’a village bothering the university, the kidnappers then released the wife and daughter and went away with the husband. Some empty shells were recovered from the scene.
“The inspector general of police and other security agencies, as well as all relevant government establishments have been duly informed of the unfortunate incident,” the statement read.
