The 68-year-old mother of a lawmaker in Edo State House of Assembly, Abibat Adjoto, who was reportedly abducted by suspected kidnappers, has regained her freedom.
The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Osifo Abiodun, confirmed this on Saturday.
The woman, whose son, Kabiru Adjoto, represents Akoko Edo II constituency, was said to have been kidnapped on Thursday at her residence within Ikakumo village, in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state.
She was reportedly abducted along with one of her adopted sons, whose name could not be verified.
According to sources, the kidnappers had invaded the village at about 1am and shot sporadically for about two hours, leaving the villagers to run for safety.
A source close to the family, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the kidnappers forcefully took their victims away after beating them up and did not make any contact with their family.
“They came to our village and started shooting. They took Mama away and one of her sons,” the source said.
Efforts to reach the three-time lawmaker for comments on Saturday were unsuccessful as a text message sent to his telephone number was not responded to as of the time of filing this report.
But according to the police spokesman, Abibat secured her release after she reportedly escaped from the kidnappers’ den on the same day.
“It was a failed attempt. The woman escaped from them; they did not succeed. Of course, the police were mobilised. Members of her community were also mobilised and they intervened,” he said.
