Mrs Hassana Garuba, the kidnapped wife of former speaker of Edo House of Assembly, Hon. Zakawanu Garuba, has regained freedom, according to family sources. No details was given about other persons abducted with the bereaved woman who lost her husband earlier Saturday and was on her way with other family members to Auchi for his burial.

“The kidnappers were shooting and shooting. They blocked the road and forced many motorists to stop. That was how they stopped the vehicle conveying the wife and son of the late former Speaker of Edo State, Hon. Zakawanu Garuba and made away with them.”

Those were the words of a witness who recounted how unknown gunmen again struck on Okene -Lokoja road on Saturday, kidnapping the wife and son of the late former Speaker of Edo State, Hon. Zakawanu Garuba.

The two victims were abducted while travelling from Abuja to Auchi with other relations for the burial rites of Garuba when they were attacked by gunmen.

Garuba had died earlier on Saturday in Abuja as a result of undisclosed illness.

They then kidnapped the wife and son of the late Speaker and other relations except his aged mother.

Spokesman of the Kogi State Police Command, DSP William Aya, while confirming the incident, said that police swung into action immediately after receiving the report.

He said that three of the victims had been rescued while the bush was being combed to locate others.

According to him, police have earlier in the day foiled attempted kidnap of six persons along Obajana-Kabba road.

The witness said the road had become hunting ground for criminals including armed robbers and kidnappers in recent years. They live in the bush from where they come out usually in the day to attack their victims.