The Department of State Services (DSS) has successfully freed Alhaji Hamza Durya, the Administrative Secretary of Kibiya Local Government Area in Kano State, who was taken hostage on Friday.
Durya was seized from his home in Durya village within Kibiya Local Government after armed men executed a well-planned attack on the residence.
Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, reported that the DSS initiated an operation aimed at securing the release of the Secretary.
He emphasized that DSS agents responded swiftly and professionally, ensuring the victim's safe recovery while detaining two suspects who were injured during the confrontation.
The Commissioner noted, "The Kano State Government views this as a significant achievement and a demonstration of the commitment and expertise of our security personnel."
He mentioned that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has consistently allocated resources and assistance to improve the operational effectiveness of security agencies, with this incident highlighting the success of the ongoing crime- fighting strategies in all 44 local government areas.
The government also called on residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities, underlining the importance of community engagement in bolstering the state's security framework.
Durya shared details of the terrifying ordeal he faced at the hands of his captors. He recounted how the kidnappers forced their way into his home by waking his son to reveal his whereabouts.
He was chained, blindfolded, and transported to a livestock facility in Rano Local Government Area nearby.
"They shackled me and covered my face, keeping me in a pen filled with chickens and livestock," said Durya.
"During my time in captivity, I never observed them praying. They initially requested a ransom of N300 million, then lowered it to N100 million, claiming they learned that I was close to the Kano Governor."
Durya asserted that the attackers were informed by someone from his community who misled them into thinking he possessed large amounts of money.
He mentioned that the kidnappers originated from Kaduna State.
"Someone from my community provided them with information. They came from Rijana in Kaduna," he stated, expressing gratitude to the DSS for rescuing him without any ransom being paid.
One of the suspects arrested, who identified himself as Nasiru, confessed that the group came from Rijana in Kaduna to carry out the kidnapping.
He admitted that the operation was facilitated by local collaborators.
"We traveled here from Rijana, and we received our weapons later. We were about ten in our group, but most fled. Only two of us were captured while the others escaped with gunshot injuries," Nasiru revealed.
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