Abducted Kogi LG Chairman Regains Freedom

Zacheaus Dare, the caretaker chairman of Kogi State’s Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, was liberated after being kidnapped by gunmen on Friday night.

It was earlier reported that he was abducted Friday night alongside his aides along Kabba/Okene Road.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, confirmed this on Saturday morning.

Aya told our correspondent that the caretaker chairman was kidnapped on Friday night along Kabba-Okene Road in the Kabba area of the state.

Giving an update later in a telephone conversation, Aya said the chairman escaped from the kidnappers while his aides were taken by the abductor to an unknown destination.

“The kidnappers did not succeed in their bid to get hold of the chairman but his aides were not that lucky as they were whisked away,” he siad.

But a statement on Saturday by the Owe Polítical Forum indicated that the chairman was released by his abductors.

The statement read, “We are pleased to share that the CTC Chairman, who was abducted by unknown assailants on the Kabba-Okene Expressway on August 2, 2024, has been safely released.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to God for his safe return. We also want to express our sincere thanks to all members for their prayers and support throughout this ordeal. Your unwavering commitment and the dedicated efforts of the security forces were crucial in ensuring his release.

“We continue to pray for the swift and safe release of his aides, asking that they be returned without harm as soon as possible.”