Kidnapped by Alhassan Adamu, Emir of Kajuru, the authorities verified on Monday their freedom to Channels TV.

After spending the night in the bandits’ possession, he was released about 5 p.m. Although the abductors sought a ransom of N200 million, it is unknown whether any money was given in exchange for his release.

Dahiru Abubakar, a key official in the Kajuru council area and the spokesman for the Kajuru Emirate council, verified the traditional ruler’s release to Channels Television.

He said Emir Adamu was released in good condition at an undisclosed place within Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna.

However, the Emir’s 13 other family members who were taken with him remain in captivity.

The bandits attacked the Emir in the early hours of Sunday morning, barely six days after 121 pupils from Bethel Baptist School in Chikun Local Government Area were kidnapped.

According to reports, around 200 gunmen attacked the emirate, shooting bullets before marching to the Emir’s residence and abducting him and 13 members of his family.

The bandits called the emirates hours later and demanded a ransom of N200 million in exchange for the monarch’s release.

According to the Kajuru Emirate Council’s spokesperson, the bandits further stated that all of the victims are in good health and are not being mistreated.

The government insists on no ransom.

Mass abductions have increased in Kaduna State, with bandits also enjoying a field day in the northern state.

The monarch’s kidnapping was the latest in a string of high-profile figures in the state to be kidnapped.

Despite the state’s rising crime rate, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has sworn not to negotiate with abductors or pay ransoms, threatening to sanction anyone who does so.

In April, the governor declared, “We have a hunch that the increased attacks in Kaduna are not linked to the attitude that we have adopted as a government that we will not negotiate with criminals.”

“We will not give them any money and they will not profit from Kaduna; everyone who comes to Kaduna will not receive a dime from the state government and will instead receive a bullet.”