Nigeria Police say that two Canadians and two Americans who were kidnapped in Nigeria’s north-central Kaduna state on Tuesday have been freed and are in good condition.
State police commissioner Agyole Abeh said that police and a special anti-kidnapping squad rescued the foreigners in the Kagarko local government area Friday night after a massive manhunt,
He said, “No ransom was paid. It was the efforts of the police through the directives of the Inspector General of Police that led to their release.”
Abeh said that one suspect was arrested in connection with the kidnapping and police were on the trail of remaining suspects.
Police spokesman Mukhtar Aliyu said that the foreigners have been taken to the capital, Abuja.
“They are in good condition but due to trauma they have to undergo medical observation.” Aliyu said.
The Canadians and Americans have not been publicly identified.
Kidnapping for ransom is common in Nigeria, especially on the Kaduna to Abuja highway.
Victims typically are released unharmed after ransom is paid, though security forces have rescued a few high-profile abductees. A number of bandits, including herdsmen, have been arrested.
Two German archaeologists were seized at gunpoint last year less than 100 kilometres northeast of Abuja and later freed unharmed. Sierra Leone’s deputy high commissioner was taken at gunpoint on the highway in 2016 and held for five days before he was let go.
