Emir of Yashikira, Kwara North Senatorial District, Alhaji Umar Seriki Usman, says seven abducted members of his royal family were released on Wednesday by the bandits.
He disclosed on Friday that three of his wives and four children were among those released by the bandits who invaded his palace early this year.
The monarch said the press conference by youths of the community in Abuja drew the attention of the Federal Government to the development in Yashikira, which led to the rescue operation.
He said, “We thank God and appreciate the federal and state governments for the release of the abductees.
“Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State made a representation to the Federal Government, which did not work until our youths in Abuja addressed the press conference, which drew the attention of the government to the situation on the ground.”
Asked if ransom was paid for the release of the kidnap victims, Umar Seriki said he could not confirm, though “we know the release of the victims was not free as the bandits demanded N150m for each of the captives, while there was no exchange of gunshots before their release by the bandits.”
The monarch appealed to concerned authorities to secure the community because the bandits are still around in the area.
“We are all happy about the development, but nobody feels secure because they are still with us and we don’t know them,” the monarch added.
