By AbdulSalam Muhammad

KANO — The former Deputy General Manger of the defunct Bank of the North, Alhaji Rufai AbdulMalik, who was abducted last Wednesday regained his freedom Monday night after the family paid N2 million to the kidnappers.

Alhaji Rufai who is the nephew of the former Inspector General of Police under the regime, of General Ibrahim Babangida, Alhaji Ali Ibrahim Atta, was seized in front of his friend’s house in Abuja as the kidnappers demanded N50 million ransom from the family.

Family sources told Vanguard that Hajiya Hajara Rufai AbdulMalik personally coordinated the process leading to her husband’s freedom as she relocated to Abuja on Sunday to perfect the deal.

Vanguard learnt that the Kidnappers directed the woman to deposit the sum in an area within the Federal Capital Territory, after which the embattled former Bank chief was released.

“I can confirm to you that our son has regained his freedom after we paid two million naira thrown at a designated place, bringing the total to two and half million paid to secure his release from captivity”, the insider source told Vanguard.

Family sources further revealed that the kidnappers claimed they were unable to cash the initial N500,000 lodged in a dedicated account for Rufai welfare, adding that the hitch in the withdrawal forced them to change tactics.