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An emir kidnapped in Kaduna state in northern Nigeria has been released while 13 other members of his family remain in captivity, his son said on Tuesday.
The attackers, known locally as the bandits, stormed the palace of Alhassan Adamu, 83-year-old Emir of Kajuru, outside the state capital of Kaduna on Sunday morning, and took claims victims, including women and children.
Amirs are revered in the predominantly Muslim north of Nigeria as custodians of Islam and tradition. They have no constitutional role, but exert influence and act as a link between the people and the government.
“His Highness was released yesterday and he is now in the palace,” said Musa Alassan Adamu, the eldest son of the emir.
“He was dropped off by his captors outside the city from where he went to the palace,” Adamu told AFP.
He said the monarch was taken to hospital for medical checks where he was certified to be in good health.
“The bandits still hold 13 family members,” the son said.
Twelve family members were reportedly first kidnapped along with the Emir.
A video clip watched by AFP shows the emir speaking to his supporters, who came to sympathize with him after his release.
He burst into tears as soon as he started his speech.
A source at the palace said the kidnappers contacted the palace to obtain a ransom for the release of the other hostages.
Kaduna police have yet to comment on the incident.
Kaduna has recently become the target of kidnapping-for-ransom gangs, seizing students and travelers on highways, but the amir’s kidnapping marked the first time such a high-profile victim has been seized.
Northwest and central Nigeria has been terrorized in recent years by gangs of cattle thieves and kidnappers who loot villages, kill and kidnap residents and livestock after looting and burning houses.
Gangs have recently attacked schools and kidnapped students to obtain ransom from parents.
About 1,000 students have been abducted since December.
On July 5, more than 100 students were kidnapped from a boarding school in Kaduna State in the latest mass kidnapping targeting schools.
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