By Emmanuel Nduka
The abductors of Charles Mato, the Paramount Ruler of Gindri in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, have demanded a ransom of N500 million before his release.
This was disclosed to newsmen by Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali on Wednesday in Jos.
Ali, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding, 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, however said his troops have arrested some suspects in connection with the crime.
“The abductors of the traditional ruler have called and demanded a random of N500 million to secure his release. We have arrested some suspects. They are in our custody.
“These are people we feel have knowledge of the incident. We have picked them up and they are being interrogated,” he said.
While decrying the rise in the spate of kidnapping in the country, he said that security agencies are on top of their game toward ending the menace, and that his men have been deployed to the area to conduct search and rescue operation.
“Kidnapping is one of the major problems in this country; it is increasing on daily basis. You can be kidnapped by anybody, anytime and anywhere.
“But we are working round the clock and have put modalities on ground to end the menace,” Ali added.
The gunmen had abducted the Monarch at his residence on December 14.
