Abducted Plateau monarch regains freedom, 8 suspects arrested
Story from Yakubu VENTIM, Jos
About eight suspects in connection with the kidnap incidence of the Paramount Ruler of Gindiri, in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Charles Mato Dakat have been arrested.
According to the police, after a series of interrogations, the suspects gave useful information which led to the release of the monarch on Friday morning by his abductors and has been taken to the hospital for a checkup.
READ ALSO: GOSA President in Plateau tasks security agencies on safe release of monarch, HRH Charles Dakat
A palace source said the abductors bought drugs for the monarch and did not maltreat him.
The source said: “We thank God Almighty that our paramount ruler is now released and is in good condition.
“Immediately after his release, he was taken to a hospital”.
“Not that he is in a bad condition, but it’s the normal checkup which is necessary after being outside his home for days.
“We also thank God that he was not maltreated by his abductors. He was on medication and his abductors ensured he constantly took his drugs.
“As a matter of fact, the abductors got him fresh drugs as he couldn’t carry along with him the ones he has been taking at home, so we thank God for everything.
“Let us also continue to pray for our security personnel because they are making a lot of sacrifices and doing a marvellous job for this country.
“I am positive that with our prayers and the efforts our security personnel are making, we would overcome our challenges.”
On whether ransom was paid, the source said: “This cannot be ruled out but for me, it is not important. Whether ransom was paid or not does not necessarily matter now.
“What matters at the moment is that our paramount ruler is now released and we give God the glory.”
The traditional ruler was abducted from his palace at about 1 am on Sunday.
Two days later, the abductors called through his phone and demanded N500 million ransom.
It could not be confirmed how much was eventually paid.
Meanwhile, a military source, while the Paramount Ruler of Gindiri was in his abductors’ den, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Ibrahim Ali placed the troops deployed to Gyanbus on red alert and a hot trail of the perpetrators.
Troops of Operations Safe Haven, according to the sources, are very much on the ground to ensure that all those involved in the kidnap of the traditional ruler are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
