From Maiharaji Altine
Retired colonel Rabi,u Garba Yandoto and his two children are still in captivity, as bandits demanded N50 million ransom.
Recall that some gunmen suspected to be bandits have kidnapped Colonel Rabi’u Garba Yandoto (retd) and his two children along Gusau-Tsafe road in Zamfara state last week.
The retired colonel was going back to his hometown together with his two children when they were ambushed by bandits and taken to the forest.
Speaking to PUNCH on phone, one of Colonel Yandoto’s relations who begged for anonymity for security reasons said the bandits called him and told him that they were demanding for N50 million ransom.
The money according to him has however been reduced to N5 million, following series of negotiations between the bandits and the family.
“They called me three days ago and told me that we should bring the sum of N50 million if we want Colonel Yandoto and his children to released”.
“But after negotiations, they said we should bring N5 million”.
“We thought he was dead because we suspected that he was abducted by assassins for political reasons”.
“We are trying to gather the amount through donation from family and friends”.
Contacted for comment, the spokesperson of the state police command SP Mohammed Shehu said he was not aware of the money demanded by the bandits.
He however stated that, the state police command under the leadership of CP Kolo Yusuf was making frantic efforts to rescue col Yandoto and his children”.
“I am not aware of the amount demanded by the bandits for the release of the retired Colonel”.
“All I know is that the command, under the table leadership of CP Kolo Yusuf is doing its best to rescue him”. Concluded Shehu.
