Governor of Zamfara state Bello Mohammed Matawallen Maradun Tuesday lauded the release of the state’s director of budget, Alhaji Hamza Salihu and one other person by their abductors.
The two were kidnapped Sunday at gunpoint along Kachia/Keffi road while on their way for an official assignment in Akwanga, Nasarawa state.
Upon their abduction, the governor promised to liaise with his Kaduna state counterpart, Nasiru El-Rufai and security agencies to ensure release of the victims.
Commending their release in a statement by Director General Press Affairs Government House Gusau, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the governor commended the victims’ friends and all those involved in the negotiation process. .
“He advised all criminals operating in the bushes to renounce their bad ways and embrace peace, noting that such move is already working in Zamfara where bandits are releasing kidnap victims and surrendering to security operatives towards embracing peace and it is impacting positively in the neighbouring states.
“The governor once again sympathised and condoled with the families of the state’s deputy director of budget, Alhaji Kabiru Ismail who was killed by the kidnappers during the attack.
“Governor Matawalle also donated one million Naira and ten bags of rice to the deceased family,” Gusau said.
