Barely five months after a Canadian woman was kidnapped in Kaduna State, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Waje Yayok, was allegedly abducted Monday night by unidentified persons demanding a ransom of N40 million.
THISDAY learnt that the 60-year-old left his residence around 8pm to give out invitation cards for the wedding ceremony of his daughter taking place on October 10th. He never returned.
The family was said to have informed the police later that night. The abductors rang and informed his wife yesterday morning that the SSG was in their custody. He was briefly allowed to speak to his spouse after which a ransom of N40 million was demanded.
“He personally drove himself out of the house. But when he did not come back we started getting anxious and tried his phone without getting him as the phone was switched off. It was unusual as he never stays out unless he is not in the state," said the daughter.
She went on to add that her mother was called very early by somebody who claimed to have her husband and asked for N40 million before his release.
When THISDAY contacted the state Commissioner of Police, Tambari Mohammed, he requested a period of two hours to enable him gather information. Mohammed later said the police was "on top" of the case. He also stated that he was not informed of the N40 million ransom by the family.
The commissioner of police refused to confirm the abduction story, saying that Yayok would not be declared missing until after 48 hours (which is today).
But the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Aminu Lawal, stated that the state government had promised to issue a statement regarding the issue.
The Special Adviser to Governor Namadi Sambo on Media & Public Affairs, Umar Sani, in a signed statement declared that the SSG travelled to the southern part of the state on official assignment. He added that a person could not be declared missing until after 48 hours.
The statement reads: “We have been inundated with inquiries as to the whereabouts of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Kaduna State, Mr. Waje Yayok, over a case of abduction. These inquiries necessitated that we respond appropriately to these rumours in order to set the records straight.
“While it is true that the SSG was on official assignment to the southern part of Kaduna, we are yet to get in contact with him over his supposed location. We believe he will get in contact with us soon. However, the gravity and intensity of the rumours require us to take steps to ensure that everything is in order. The security agencies have the details of the place, the nature of the assignment and all his contact details to enable them trace his whereabouts and douse the tension created by such rumours.
“Members of the press, in line with the internationally accepted standards, a person cannot be declared missing until after 48 hours."
Asked the nature of the SSG's trip, Sani refused to comment. He further said he did not believe the N40 million ransom demand until the abductors get in touch with the state government or the police.
According to him, the family is raising dust unnecessarily. When he was told that many prominent people had gathered at the SSG’s house, the special adviser stated that they were wasting their time.
Meanwhile, the car in which Yayok left his home is yet to be found. Virtually all the commissioners in the governor's cabinet have paid a visit to his residence. Others who visited included the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Amina Ibrahim Yakowa, state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), chairman of Kaura Local Government Area, civil servants, friends and relatives.
The police have also stationed a police van with eight armed policemen at his house.
When THISDAY visited Yayok's home, his family and friends expressed concern about his health. He is said to have been ill for sometime so much that he walks with a limp.
On 17th April 2009, Mrs. Anne Mulligan, a Rotarian who was in the state on an exchange programme was kidnapped. N20 million was demanded but she was released two weeks after her abduction.
One of the kidnappers was arrested while trying to collect the money. The woman was held in an uncompleted building at Goningora, a suburb of Kaduna.
His colleague who ran away in the car was arrested later in Abuja while trying to sell the car. Both of them, including two other people that were caught at the uncompleted house have since been arraigned at a magistrate’s court.