How Pastor Regained Freedom From Boko Haram After 8 Months In Captivity

A pastor with the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Rev Polycarp Zango, has regained his freedom from Boko Haram terrorists.

The pastor, who was kidnapped on October 19, 2020, regained his freedom on Monday after eight months in the custody of the terrorists, Naija News understands.

Revd. Zango, who presides over a COCIN church branch in Jos, Plateau State, was kidnapped by the terrorists while on a journey to a ministers’ conference in Gombe State.

Shortly after he was kidnapped, news filtered in that he has regained his freedom, but it turned out to be a false alarm.

The abductors had demanded a huge sum of money for his release which could not be raised by the church leadership according to the President of COCIN, Rev Dachollom Datiri.

They thereafter resorted to prayers and appeals for his unconditional release which eventually happened on Monday.

Revd. Zango’s release was confirmed to Punch on Tuesday in Jos by a peace advocate and President of the Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Rev Gideon Para-Mallam.

Para-Mallam added that he has spoken with the pastor who was freed along with some other persons in Maiduguri, Borno State.

“I just spoke with him. His release, this time, is true.

“He was released on Monday night by his abductors in Maiduguri and I was told that he would soon return to Jos any moment from now. We really thank God for sparing his life after several months in captivity,” Para-Mallam said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian military stepped up operations against bandits with a massive bombardment of their hideouts in the North-West, North-Central and some parts of the North-East.

Recall that during his interview with Arise Television on Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari said he had ordered security agents to shoot bandits carrying AK47.

The president also disclosed that he had instructed the military to deal with bandits in a ‘language they would understand.

Top security officials revealed to The PUNCH that the bombardment, which started in Katsina and Benue states would soon be extended to other states in the zones.

It was gathered that the armed forces had increased attacks on the hideouts of bandits in various parts of Katsina state especially in Batsari, Jibia, Sabuwa, Danmusa, Safana, Matazu, Kankara, Dandume, Dutsin-ma, Kurfi and Faskari LGAs.