Alhaji Yusha’u Kebbe, the son of the 75-year-old woman who was kidnapped and released on Wednesday, said he paid an undisclosed amount of money as ransom to secure her release from the abductors.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Hajiya Fatima Mohammed was kidnapped a week ago at her residence at Kebbe, headquarters of Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Alhaji Kebbe was the gubernatorial candidate of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party in 2011 in the state.
He told a news conference in Sokoto on Wednesday that his mother was dropped at Gadar-Zema in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, along Zuru Road at around 3am on Wednesday.
He said: “She was earlier whisked away by the abductors, some of whom were masked, after the late night prayer a week ago.
“A 27-year-old man, who was a good samaritan, was shot dead by the kidnappers, after which they fled with my mother on motorcycles.”
Kebbe also said his mother was released after he personally paid a ransom.
“However, I prefer to remain silent on the amount of money I paid the kidnappers,” he said.
He said his mother was hale and hearty and that her abductors did not beat or torture her.
He said: “She is now receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital because she has been hypertensive, but they kept her where there was no water.
“So, she did not bath, pray or change her clothes throughout the period she was in captivity.
“The abductors, however, asked us to buy her drugs and a Medical Doctor prescribed some drugs and sent the names of the drugs through text message and they bought the drugs for her.”
Kebbe commended Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Governors Aliyu Wamakko and Attahiru Bafarawa, journalists and other Nigerians for their efforts as well as prayers for the safe return of his mother.
The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, Sabo Kurawa, has confirmed the release of the elderly woman.