Kidnapped Kaduna Clerics Regain Freedom, One Dead
BEVERLY HILLS, April 01, (THEWILL) – President of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria, Rev. Emmanuel Dziggau and one Rev. Yakubu Dzarma, kidnapped in Kaduna, have regained freedom, while the third victim, Rev. Iliya Anto, was found dead.
The men were released ten days after being abducted at gunpoint along the Kaduna – Abuja Expressway, but It was not clear if ransom was paid for their freedom.
According to Church sources, after the kidnap, Anto took ill, and when it became too severe, he was abandoned in the bush by the criminals, ultimately leading to his death.
“Dziggau and Dzarma were freed Wednesday night while the corpse of Rev. Anto was found, almost decomposing in the bush,” the church source said.
“The two clergy men were immediately taken to a private hospital in Kaduna after they were brought to our church on Katsina Road, Kaduna.
“They were not looking too good and as soon as they brought them, a decision was taken that they needed to see a doctor, so they were taken to a private hospital in Kaduna for medical check-up, but I will not tell you the hospital because they need some rest.”
“We don't want people to disturb them until they are psychologically and physically fit to see people.
“The person who went to collect them drove them on a bike from where they dropped them for four hours before they could reach a motorable road. This is very traumatic and they need some rest.
“Anto's corpse was found in the bush after he was abandoned by the kidnappers because of his ill health.
“A day after their abduction, the kidnappers called to inform us that Anto was not well and they had dropped him at a location in the bush.
“But when we dispatched people to the location to take him, we couldn't get him after combing the area. The kidnappers who may have been watching us from their hideout said we sent too many people to pick him, so they refused to give further description of the location and we thought they must have gone with him.”
Story by David Oputah