By Kazeemn Waris
Two visually impaired persons abducted by gunmen along Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State have regained their freedom after spending more than two days in captivity.
The victims were kidnapped on Monday night while returning to Jos from Benue State, where they had attended a training programme.
Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Shindol Aaron, confirmed their release in a telephone interview, saying they regained their freedom on Wednesday night.
Aaron disclosed that the victims were released between 9pm and 10pm, adding that their relatives had confirmed they were on their way back to town.
He said, “We were lucky yesterday that they released them. I spoke with the brothers who went to pick them up, and they confirmed that the victims were already in a vehicle coming into town.”
The JONAPWD chairman, however, expressed uncertainty over reports that the suspected kidnappers had been arrested by security operatives.
He said, “Information reached me that the culprits had been apprehended by security men, but I have not verified that information.”
“I was called and informed that they had been apprehended, although I am yet to independently confirm it.”
Aaron added that he had not personally met with the victims since their release and was yet to establish direct contact with them.
The victims were among nine persons travelling in a vehicle to attend a training programme in Benue State when gunmen attacked them along Riyom on Monday night.
Seven other occupants of the vehicle reportedly escaped during the attack, while the two visually impaired passengers were taken away by the assailants.
The abductors had reportedly demanded N50 million ransoms for the release of the two victims, raising concerns over their safety and the plight of their families.
Their release comes amid renewed concerns over kidnapping and insecurity along major routes in Plateau State, particularly the vulnerability of travellers to armed attacks.
As of the time of filing this report, details surrounding the circumstances of their release and whether any ransom was paid had not been established. Reports of the alleged arrest of the kidnappers also remained unverified.
