Abducted Plateau Monarch Regains Freedom

The District Head of Panyam in Mangu local government area of Plateau State, His Royal Highness, Aminu Derwan, who was abducted in his palace on Monday by gunmen has regained freedom.

Palace sources told our correspondent on Thursday that the traditional ruler was released around 11:45 pm on Wednesday to the waiting arms of his family who had been negotiating for his release.

The source further stated Dewan arrived at his palace in Panyam amidst jubilation by his subjects and other chiefs on Thursday morning.

ABN TV also gathered the kidnappers who demanded for N150 million ransom reduced it to N10 million on Wednesday morning.

Efforts to confirm if the family paid the N10 million or not before his release proved abortive as none of the family member was willing to say anything on it.

Efforts to reach Plateau Police Public Relations Officer DSP Alfred Alabon were unsuccessful but security sources confirmed his released yesterday and have been reunited with his family.

The traditional ruler was kidnapped in the early hour of Monday by gunmen numbering about 20 who invaded his palace and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

Derman was the third monarch kidnapped in the local government in recent time causing apprehension and tension in the area.