Elizabeth Arinde and Musbau Amuda, Kwara State government officials who were kidnapped on Friday during an intrastate trip, have regained freedom.

When contacted for comments on Monday, one of Arinde’s relatives confirmed the release to FIJ. They declined to say whether ransom was paid or if security operatives were involved.

“Please, we request for privacy at this time,” the relative said.

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Arinde, the head of the legal department at Oke Ero Local Government Area of the state, and Amuda, the director of personnel management for Ilorin West, were kidnapped in Eleyin Village on Friday evening on their way to Ilorin from a work trip.

While FIJ’s source did not state how long they were abducted, an X post by Omo Oloja (@1adoks) suggests that Arinde regained freedom on Sunday around 10:38 pm.

“We just got her back. Thank you for your prayers. Your wishes. We don’t take it for granted. [We] appreciate you all,” reads the update in response to an earlier report on the kidnapping incident.

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A news report stated that the local government officials were rescued unhurt by the combined team of security agencies and the local vigilantes.

FIJ could not reach Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Kwara police spokesperson, for comments on Monday morning as calls put across to her were unanswered.

Meanwhile, an earlier statement by the police spokesperson confirming the incident revealed that some armed men blocked two private vehicles at Eleyin Village around 5:45 pm on Friday and forcefully took all the occupants to an unknown location.

While the police noted that two of the kidnapped persons were rescued over the weekend, Arinde and Amuda were among the five others whom security operatives were working to rescue.