Kidnappers blindfolded me 4 days – Sharia court judge

Ab u b a k a r Mohammed, a Sharia Court judge who was kidnapped last Thursday in Niger State, was released Sunday evening by his abductors after four days in captivity, Daily Trust learnt yesterday.

The judge was abducted around Jerimiya village in Rafi local government area while returning to Pandogari from his duty post in Alawa community in Shiroro local government area of the state.

Malam Mohammed who was said to have been released by his captors after an undisclosed amount was paid to his abductors, was reluctant to comment on his abduction when journalists approached him at the premises of Sharia Court of Appeal headquarters yesterday in Minna.

However, after much prodding Mohammed said his experience in the hands of his abductors was harrowing. He said he did not know where he was held as he was blindfolded for the four days he spent.

He said his hands were tied behind him and was beaten by his kidnappers, even as he was fed only bread and water for four days.

The judge was however silent on whether ransom was paid.

The Niger State Police Command through its Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Abubakar Dan-Inna, confirmed the release of the judge to Daily Trust on phone yesterday, saying men of the command’s anti-kidnapping squad were on the trail of the kidnappers.

On whether ransom was paid on the judge, he said he did not know.