Two senior Nigerian police detectives who were seized by kidnappers last week have been released.

Police superintendent Francis Yisa and assistant superintendent John Kefas were released by their abductors after about N30 million ransom was paid in secret negotiation between the armed bandits and police chiefs worried about the lives of their colleagues, Peoples Gazette learnt from police sources. Inspector-General Usman Baba Alkali, who was initially reluctant to deploy needed resources to free the officers, swung into action following The Gazette’s report of the matter.

The Gazette had on Saturday reported the abduction of the officers who were on an investigation assignment between Abuja and Kogi.

Messers Yisa and Kefas were released on Sunday morning after payment was made to their captors. The sourcing and payment of the ransom were arranged by senior police officers who feared for the safety of their colleagues days after Inspector-General Usman Baba Alkali failed to discuss any operational plans for rescue, officials said under anonymity to avoid being targeted for unauthorised disclosure of internal police crisis.

Police authorities have refused to comment on the development since the matter came to light. Sources say The Gazette’s report thwarted Mr Alkali’s effort to conceal the abduction of the servicemen. 

The officers have since been reunited with their family members, although they were said to be slightly emaciated and traumatised for the days spent in captivity. It was unclear whether the officers would be asked to return to Kogi to complete their assignment. A police spokesman did not return a request seeking comment.

Abduction of service men has become a frequent feature in Nigeria’s tales of insecurity under the Buhari regime. Ten police officers returning from election duty were abducted in Kogi state. 

The central Nigeria stretch between Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory has become a haven for violent criminals in recent times. The Buhari regime said it recently intensified efforts to provide resources to security and law enforcement agencies in order to curb rising insecurity, which has cripled businesses and education across the country.