Thousands were on ground to receive “kidnap kingpin”, Hamisu Bala, better known as Wadume, on his arrival to his hometown, Ibbi in Taraba State on Sunday as he was said to have concluded his jail sentence which ran concurrently at the Kuje Prison in Abuja on Friday.
Recall that Wadume was arrested by men of the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector-General of Police, in 2019. Wadume prior to his arrest over alleged kidnapping, had enlisted the help of a Captain of the Nigerian Army, who aided his escape from Police custody when the vehicle of the IRT was stopped at a military checkpoint by gunfire and labelled as kidnappers instead.
He then went into hiding thereafter for days before another IRT team led by the now suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, smoked him out from his hideout in Kano metropolis of Kano State.
According to a report by DailyTrust, he was received by thousands of people, including youths and women when he arrived home.
A resident of Ibbi town who spoke with newsmen, Musa Garba, said the town was at a standstill for Wadume.
Garba said the elderly and youths trooped out to receive Wadume who was said to have entered the town through river Benue.
He said the people received Wadume by the riverside and from there he went through the town before retiring to his house.
Another resident simply identified as Nuhu said, “We are in a festive mood as Wadume regained his freedom and now out of prison and now with us in his home town Ibbi.”
Meanwhile, Wadumi has visited the Chief of Ibbi chiefdom, Alhaji Salihu Danbawuro, at his palace.
Wadume told the chief that he was at the palace to thank the chief and the entire people of his chiefdom.
He said throughout his trial, the chief and his subjects stood firmly with him and prayed for his safety and good health while in prison.
The chief, Saliha Danbawuro, told Wadume that he and his subjects were happy that he was out of prison.
“I and the entire people of Ibbi chiefdom are happy that Hamisu Wadume is now back in Ibbi his home town.” the chief said.
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