Abducted Zamfara monarch regains freedom after questioning by Ado Allero’s gang
By: Zagazola Makama
The traditional ruler of Yankuzo in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Alhaji Babangida Kogo, who was abducted by armed bandits on Tuesday, has regained his freedom, Zagazola Makama report.
The monarch was released late Tuesday night by the gang of notorious bandits’ kingpin, Ado Allero, hours after his abduction along the Mararraba axis while fleeing his community following a deadly airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). He returned his palace at Yankuzu on Thursday where he was reunited with his family.
Sources told Zagazola that the bandits had accused the religious monarch of providing intelligence to the military, which allegedly led to the precision airstrike that killed scores of terrorists at a forest enclave between Yankuzo and Munhaye earlier the same day. Morethan 30 persons were confirmed killed while several others were said to be injured.
However, the monarch was reportedly freed after several hours in captivity when Ado Allero and his fighters confirmed he had no involvement in the military operation.
“No ransom was paid. They interrogated him and found that he had no hands in the attack,” a security source familiar with the development disclosed on condition of anonymity.
The air raid, carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji, targeted a large gathering of armed bandits believed to be celebrating a wedding or similar event. The strike, based on credible intelligence and aerial surveillance, resulted in heavy casualties among the criminals.
The abductors, led by Ado Allero, are believed to have launched the operation in retaliation for the strike. Allero is one of the most feared bandits commanders in the region and has been linked to several high-profile attacks in Zamfara and neighboring states.
Sources also confirmed that Ado Allero and his gang were behind a recent ambush on Nigerian Army troops operating in the area, which led to the death of one soldier.
