Shettima Ali-Monguno regains freedom

[TGD]

ABDUCTED elder statesman, and former minister of petroleum resources during the Gowon military regime, Dr Shettima Ali-Monguno,  was in the early hours of Monday released by members of the Boko Haram sect at Kirenoa. He arrived at the Government Reservation Area (GRA) residence by 1pm.

Kirenoa is a border town with Niger Republic; and 160 kilometres north of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Receiving the elder statesman at his residence, Governor Kashim Shettima said: "We thank  the Almighty God for releasing our father and elder statesman from the hands of Boko Haram sect members in far away Kirenoa, after holding him captive for three days. The sect members had heeded to my persistent appeals and consideration in releasing our elder statesman today. The prayers of people and other stakeholders had also assisted in releasing Dr Monguno today."

On whether a ransom has been paid before the release of the elder statesman, Shettima however, said: "No ransom was paid by either the Borno State government or family members. Monguno is as poor as the Church rat."

He said Dr Monguno or the family members have no capacity to pay any ransom, but thank God, a ransom was not specifically demanded by the Boko Haram sect members; since he was abducted last Friday at the Mafoni Central Mosque.

Shettima, who was excited and grateful to the Al-mighty God said: "I want to appeal again to the Boko Haram sect members to lay down their arms for the sake of peace and unity of the various ethnic and religious groups in the state. Let's pray so that peace could be restored in this state; and the entire Northern part of this country. The media has also managed very well; the crises of the abduction and eventual release of our father and elder statesman today."

Monguno was kidnapped last Friday afternoon when he left the Mosque after the Jumat prayer.Eyewitnesses in Maiduguri said that Monguno was kidnapped in his car.The kidnappers later contacted the family of the 92-year-old man, and demanded the release of some terror suspects being detained by security agents.

The gunmen reportedly forced the former Federal Minister of Petroleum into their car and sped away, shooting into the air to scare away worshippers.

The Guardian