The suspected kidnappers who were killed during an exchange of fire in Rafin Gigi village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state abducted the boy on Friday, October 28, Punch reports.
While speaking with newsmen at the Brigade headquarters in Bauchi on Wednesday, November 2, the Platoon Commander, Captain Harrison Chiagozie, said the incident occurred on Saturday, October 29.
Punch reports that the Commander who led the operation disclosed to journalists that N770,000 cash was recovered from the kidnappers.
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The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of N1.6m from the victim's family but they were only able to raise N770,000.
“We got a report of the kidnap of the boy, Muhammad Musa, on Saturday and immediately, we swung into action.
“When we got to the bush, it was around 10pm and as soon as the family exchanged the N770,000 they had with them and took their son, our men who were hiding came out.
“An exchange of fire ensued between us and the kidnappers and we killed two of them while the others escaped. There was no casualty on our side.
"They used torchlight to know where we were because it was very dark. And our aim was to rescue the boy alive,” Chiagozie said.
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The Platoon Commander explained that the operation was successful because it was carried out through teamwork between the Nigerian Army and a vigilante group in the area.
Speaking with journalists, one of the victim's uncles identified as Ali Umar, said that the kidnappers left a note after grabbing the boy, and asked them to call a phone number on it.
“I have been the one speaking with the kidnappers. They demanded the sum of N1.6m from the family before the boy would be released to us; but we were only able to raise the sum of N770,000 and even that was borrowed,” Umar said.
The victim has now been reunited with his family.
