Kidnapped CPS of Taraba governor regains freedom

Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Taraba State Governor, Hassan Mijinyawa, who was kidnapped last week has been released by his abductors.

An expatriate and driver in whose vehicle the CPS was kidnapped were also released.

It was learnt that the abductors, who earlier demanded N100 million ransom settled for N26 million before releasing him.

The Guardian also learnt that while the CPS parted with N26 million for his freedom, the expatriate paid N5 million to the abductors amounting to N31 million.

As at the time of filing in this report, Mijiiyawa and the other victims could not be reached to narrate their ordeals in the hands of their kidnappers.

A visibly elated wife of the CPS, Sekina Mijinyawa who was thankful to God, confirmed that her husband has safely returned from the kidnappers’ den.

She commended the state government for its efforts, saying it left no stone unturned to facilitate the immediate release of her husband.

Mijinyawa was abducted on Tuesday last week in Gashaka Local Government Area of the state on his way to the Mambila Plateau to join Governor Darius Ishaku, who is seeking re-election as governor.

Also confirming the report, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, Bala Dan-Abu, said the government and people of the state were happy that he (Mijinyawa) was released unhurt, adding: “We thank God for the answered prayers.”