Kidnapped Ex-Minister Of Environment, Laurentia Laraba Mallam And Husband Released

Ex-Minister of Environment under former president Goodluck Jonathan‘s administration, Laurentia Laraba Mallam and her 73-year-old husband, Pius Mallam, who were kidnapped by gunmen on Monday evening along Bwari/Jere axis on Kaduna-Abuja highway (read here) have regained their freedom.

The Police Command in Kaduna State on Wednesday confirmed their release.

The Command’s spokesman, ASP Aliyu Usman, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna that the couple regained their freedom on Wednesday evening.

“They were rescued at Jare through the effort of the security operatives,’’ he said.

Usman added that no one had been arrested in connection with the incident but assured:

”We are doing everything possible to arrest the suspects so that they can face the law. The ex-minister and her husband have united with their family.”

Yesterday, family sources told THISDAY in a telephone interview that the kidnapped couple were released about 5 pm after an undisclosed amount of money was paid.

The kidnappers had earlier demanded for N10 million as ransom. The source disclosed:

”The former minister and her husband have been released and they are on their way to Abuja to join family members.

Some money was paid for their release. As to their conditions, I can’t tell you anything about them because we are are still expecting their arrival in Abuja.”