The Nigerian military successfully freed him without gunfire or ransom payment after 24 hours, according to a report by Ynet

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Nigerian soldiers are seen during a patrol at the Banki IDP camp in Borno, Nigeria April 26, 2017.(photo credit: REUTERS/AFOLABI SOTUNDE/FILE PHOTO)

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An Israeli citizen was kidnapped for ransom in Nigeria’s Tabara State in the east of the country on Thursday and freed approximately 24 hours later, Israeli media reported on Sunday.

Nigerian police claimed the Israeli was abducted while under military escort, but the Nigerian army, who conducted the operation to free the Israeli citizen, denied this, stating that he was travelling alone.

Ynet added that the Nigerian military “succeeded in rescuing him in good health without gunfire and without paying a ransom.”

Ynet reported that the foreign ministry and the Israeli embassy in Abuja worked with Nigerian authorities.

The Nigerian military reportedly applied “strategic pressure” to village chiefs and local youth leaders, producing “critical intelligence” that led to the Israeli’s release.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry responded by saying “The Israeli Embassy in Nigeria and the department for Israelis abroad handled the rescue of an Israeli citizen in the northeastern part of the country. The citizen is safe,” according to Ynet.

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Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo says his administration will sustain the sensitization of its citizens towards utilizing the state’s recruitment quota in the Nigerian Army in order to contribute to national security.

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He noted that his administration will sensitize Edo youths and encourage them to see the need to join the Army and ensure a strong security architecture for the country.

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The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Gani Audu, stated this when he received a delegation from the Chief Of Army Staff, on a sensitization visit to States in the Niger Delta.

Okpebholo said the state government will work with the Brigade Commander to set up a team to take the message to all local government areas of the state.

“The State will work with the Brigade Commander to set up a team to take the message to the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State. The team will ensure utilization of State’s quota in the Nigerian Army”, he said.

The Army delegation sent by the Chief of Army Staff l, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oloyede was represented by the Director, Supply and Transport Services, Army Headquarters, Brig. General Wiito Nzidee.

Lt. Gen. Oloyede embarked on the tour of states in the Niger Delta on a sensitization to create a general awareness for youths on available opportunities in the Nigerian Army.

He noted that Edo is lagging behind in filling its quota in the Nigerian Army hence the visit to sensitize the people on the need to fill available slots for the 89 Regular Recruit intake which recruitment portal is now open.

On his part, Commander 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ebenezer Oduyebo who is a member of the delegation said the process apart from contributing to national security is a way of creating employment in the state.

According to available statistics Kaduna has so far registered 2,393 , Adamawa 1701, Bauchi 1136, Plateau 1,400 while Edo has registered 194 out of the 2000 slots allocated to each state for the 89 Regular Recruit intake of the Nigerian Army.

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The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has recanted and withdrawn invitation letter for the Emir or Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II to appear at the Force headquarters in Abuja for interrogation on alleged breach of Sallah Durbar ban.

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CAPITAL POST reported on Saturday that the Emir of Kano was invited to the Force headquarters for allegedly leading a Durbar procession to the Government House to pay homage to Governor Abbas Yusuf against ban.

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Amid tension-soaked Kano, the was on Sunday withdrawn based on reported advice of stakeholders and prominent Kano indigenes.

According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, obtained in Abuja on Sunday by CAPITAL POST, Sanusi was to appear on Tuesday in Abuja, but has been redirected to appear in Kano to provide his account of the events that led to the breakdown of law and order in the state.

“Following advice from respected stakeholders and in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicized or misinterpreted, the IGP has directed that the invitation be withdrawn.

“Instead, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) have been mandated on the instructions of the IGP to proceed to Kano to obtain Alhaji Sanusi’s statement.

“Prior to the Sallah Day celebration, credible intelligence at the disposal of the Police indicated that the two (2) disputed Emirs in Kano State -Alh Ado Bayero and Alh Lamido Sanusi were planning to hold separate Durbar Festivals.

“The Durbar Festival is a long held tradition which involves a recognized Emir riding on horses around the city in company of his people.

“To forestall possible violence, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, deployed the Coordinating DIG for the North West who also serves as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, DIG Abubakar Sadiq , to engage in dialogue with the two disputed Emirs in kano and the Kano State Government.

“It was mutually agreed that no Durbar Festival would be held to preserve peace and public safety and none of the disputed emirs will ride on horse on Sallah day.

“Despite this agreement, Alhaji Sanusi who had attended the Eid Prayers in his car, decided to mount a horse in a procession after Eid Prayers on Sallah Day, accompanied by local vigilantes.

“This triggered a confrontation by youths in the community, leading to the tragic death of one Usman Sagiru, and leaving several others injured. A situation which the Force had earlier warned against and intended to avert by the emissaries sent earlier to both Alhaji Sanusi and Alhaji Ado Bayero

“The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, remains resolute in its commitment to conducting its criminal investigation duties with the highest level of professionalism including the investigation of this incident.

“All individuals found culpable will at the end be brought to justice. To this effect, some arrests have been made prompting invitation to Alhaji Sanusi. The Force also wishes to reiterate that its actions are guided solely by the principles of justice, neutrality, and professionalism.”

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