Kidnapped SSG Reappears, Denies Paying Ransom

From Reuben Buhari in Kaduna, 10.01.2009

At exactly 12:55 pm, the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Mr. Waje Yayok, who had been in the custody of kidnappers for the past nine days made a quiet entry into Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the Kaduna state Government House.

Looking a bit tired and unkempt, the SSG who came in a metallic grey 406 Peugeot car with registration number BF-507-YAB, wearing a light brown kaftan and accompanied by three other people was instantly whisked to the office of the deputy governor, Mr. Patrick Yakowa, who was then receiving a courtesy visit by officials of the state branch of the Central Bank, who came to show him the new polymer naira notes.

The explanation that the state later gave was that the released of the SSG was gotten without any ransom paid. Journalist were also told that the kidnappers willingly agreed to release the SSG in Warri, Delta State, were he was taken after the kidnappers realized that the state security service in collaboration with their counterpart in Delta state were about to arrest them.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Namadi Sambo, on media and Public Affairs, Umar Sani also told journalists who had laid siege at the office of the deputy governor since 9am, that the SSG was abducted on Monday evening around 8pm, close to his house in Barnawa by mistake by a gang of 10 men in military uniform and taken straight that night to Warri in Delta State. 

He also added that three other cars, in addition to the one the SSG was in were all taken to Delta State in a convoy. The SSG was also prevented by the deputy governor from answering any question and all the talking was done by the Deputy Governor and later Umar Sani.

Later when the SSG talked it was simply to say that he was well and has forgiven his abductors and refused to answer any question.

But before Umar Sani spoke to the press a mild drama ensured as the SSG attempted to go home without talking to journalists, who subsequently blocked his way. After about 10 minutes standing on the staircase that leads to the deputy governor’s office, the SSG and the deputy governor turn and went back.After about an hour in the deputy governor’s office where a meeting was held with the State director of the State Security Service, the Director of the State security outfit, ‘Operation Yaki,’ Head of Service, Commissioner for information, state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, and other top government functionaries, attempt was again made to take him home, but journalists that had gathered block the staircase and refused to move, insisting that the SSG has to address the press.Later on at about 3:30 pm, Umar Sani read a prepared text that said the kidnappers didn’t even know that they had taken an SSG until they got to a place were they wanted to buy fuel for their cars and then realized that they had an SSG in their custody.“Gentlemen of the Press you will recall that sometimes ago to be precise on Tuesday 22nd September 2009, after much inquiries about the whereabouts of the SSG from Members of the Public, we issued a statement stating that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) was on official assignment to the southern part of the State. Subsequently, the next day after fruitless effort to locate his whereabouts, he was declared missing by the Kaduna State Police Command.“Thereafter, the security agencies intensified efforts to locate him and his whereabouts. Their efforts paid off after frustrating the assailants who were later to be identified as abductors of the SSG for ransom. The fact that no ransom was paid and the toll was telling on them frustrated their efforts and led them to the release of the SSG.“The SSG was taken to Warri in Delta State where he was held hostage for a better part of the time he was held captive. The combined efforts of the SSS and the Police gave the abductors sleepless nights and they felt that the security agencies were closing in on them and that soon the noose will be tightened around their necks. The only option left was for the immediate release of the SSG who is currently in our warm embrace.“At this juncture, it is pertinent to dispel the rumours going round that the SSG was abducted in an open place. We want to state that the incident took place at the junction of Studio 24 along Barnawa/Narayi junction very close to the residence of the SSG, he was to proceed on an official assignment the next morning to the southern part of the state when some uniform men fully clad in army camouflage  numbering about 10 abducted the SSG and four other vehicles, including a Toyota Camry, a Jeep, the vehicle of the SSG which is an ‘End of Discussion’ and a Mercedes Benz that were all forced to drive straight that night to Warri in Delta State.“It should also be noted that the SSG was a victim of circumstance and that the operation was not targeted at him or any agent of the state government. He was only discovered to be an SSG along the road due to his identity card. He was received in Benin and taken straight to Kaduna state by members of the state security service and he is hale and hearty,” Umar Sani claimed.Instantly journalists stated shouting that the story is a lie and that the state is being economical with the truth, because several question, as to the nature of the official assignment he was supposed to carry out in the southern past of the state and many other questions were not answered.Even journalists who rushed to his house in Barnawa were stopped by security man from gaining entrance into his house.But a source within the house said the whole families are happy with the development. He equally refused to answer whether ransom was paid. All he said was that everything possible was done to secure his release and he s now happily

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=155899

Na him sabi.

kidnappers are now humanitarians, abi?

The most important thing is that he is free and and unharmed  . Hopefully he might have a change of heart and face people issues head on.

Even in the news report, d issue of govt officials lieing is clearly stated by saying when d secretary was 1st kidnapped, he was on official engagement in d southern part of the state, until after the second day, when his whereabout was unknown that they now declared, he's actually kidnapped. What kind of ctry is this, where everybody is a potential liar.

den say they send am message, but was later released from the message by kidnappers on humanitarian ground. Govt lie everyday

Okay evri one. "I didn't pay" could mean d amount he paid was very small, in which case he didn't really pay!

Men the tin tire me ooh, with all the check points for road? moreover, how did the kidnappers know the fuel in his car and the other 3 cars will be full tanks to take dem from kaduna all the way to warri because those filling stations dont work at night.

They said he was not targeted, so they came all the way from warri to just pick anybody they see. This is 100% lies

Liar, Liar, he's only trying to paint the police force as good people.

The SSG must be a moron for thinkin' all Nigerians are morons.
Thank God for savin' your life but please spare us the bul.lsh.it story of N0.00 ransom,ok

I didn't expect the man to say anything contrary. Government Officials are chronic liers.

The SSG's testimony of release is irregular. He said he told the kidnappers he was a poor civil servant but b4 then other accounts clarified that his Id was found by them. I don't want to believe that GMG bags did not exchange hands.

true lies :d

White lie.

Whether he pays or not, its none of my business, conscience will surely judge him.