Unknown gunmen reportedly kidnapped the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Kabba Bunu Local Government Area in Kogi State, Zacheous Michael, along with some of his aides on Friday night along the Kabba/Okene road.

Police Public Relations Officer William Ayah confirmed the incident, stating that the Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, had already deployed officers for a search and rescue mission.

“The command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the chairman and his aides are rescued,” Ayah assured.

There is no information yet on whether the abductors have made any ransom demands. Inside sources suggest that the kidnapping could be linked to the upcoming council election on October 19, for which Zacheous Michael was adopted as the sole candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Kabba local government. Other sources believe that his crackdown on kidnappers in his local government since assuming office as Caretaker Committee Chairman may have prompted the abduction.

In an update on Saturday, Ayah informed Channels Television via a phone call that Michael had regained his freedom. “The caretaker chairman claimed that he escaped from the hands of the kidnappers while they were being moved to an unknown destination,” he said. However, Michael’s aides remain in captivity.

A statement from the Administrators of the Owe Political Platform expressed gratitude for Michael’s safe return: “We are pleased to share that the CTC Chairman, who was abducted by unknown assailants on the Kabba-Okene Expressway on August 2, 2024, has been safely released. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to God for his safe return. We also want to express our sincere thanks to all members for their prayers and support throughout this ordeal.

Your unwavering commitment and the dedicated efforts of the security forces were crucial in ensuring his release. We continue to pray for the swift and safe release of his aides, asking that they be returned without harm as soon as possible.”