Barely 12 hours after she was abducted by unknown gunmen, Hajiya Beli Manu, mother of the Taraba state Deputy Governor, Engr. Haruna Manu was released by her abductors. A family source who preferred anonymity told National Mirror in a telephone interview that the abductors who initially demanded N300 million as ransom later reviewed it backward, but could not say the exact amount the family gave to the abductors before the release of Hajiya Beli.
The source explained that the abductors who whisked away Hajiya Beli at their family residence in Mutum Biyu on Monday night abandoned her in Mayo-Kam in Bali Local Government Area of the state. Confirming the release of Hajiya Beli, Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joseph Kwaji said the mother of the deputy governor was released at about 11:40pm on Tuesday without any ransom paid to the abductors. Kwaji who said no arrest was made urged the people of the state to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement to the police and other security agents. He noted that investigation into the matter was ongoing with a view to arresting the culprits. Chairman of Gassol Local Government, Hon. Tukura Bashir in a reaction condemned the abduction of the 80 year old Mama Beli. Tukura informed that he has strengthened security apparatus of the local government since the abduction of the octogenarian mother of the deputy governor. Also speaking, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Hon. Jerry Tyolanga who hails from the local government blamed the abduction on the influx of people into the state particularly in Bali and Gassol local governments.
“This is the fifth case of abduction in recent times since the state started playing host to influx of people from unknown destinations into the state. “These people are occupying people’s land and have being terrorising residents of the area, killing, maiming and now they have introduce abduction of innocent persons. Security agencies should quickly flush out these people before the situation gets out of hand. We are no longer safe,” he said.