Mohammed Abubakar, the chairman of the governing board of Universal Education Commission, UBEC, and his daughter Yasmin have been released by kidnappers.
A family source, simply identified as Hussaini, confirmed the development to DAILY NIGERIAN, saying his brother was released on Tuesday afternoon.
Although he said no ransom was paid, credible sources however said the prompt release of Mr Abubakar and his daughter followed payment of a “huge ransome”.
The duo was among the dozens of people kidnapped Monday along Abuja-Kaduna expressway. The driver of the UBEC chairman was shot dead on the spot as the assailants shot sporadically at moving vehicles.
DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that Miss Abubakar, who is American citizen, recently returned to Nigeria in preparation for her wedding ceremony in June.
According to him, the kidnappers opened fire sporadically on Abuja-bound travellers, forcing at least 15 vehicles to stop and successfully shepherded the occupants into the bush.A witness, Mohammed Dambatta, who escaped the attack told DAILY NIGERIAN that the attack occurred at 3pm at Kurmin Kare in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“I counted about 15 vehicles without occupants, including a police van, a Kano Line bus and a jeep. The driver of the jeep was apparently shot. Some of those who emerged from the bush after the attack suffered gunshot wounds,” he said.
