The two Americans and two Canadians that were abducted in Kaduna on Tuesday by gunmen have been released, the Kaduna State Police Command said.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalled that the four expatriates were abducted along Kwoi-Jere road in Kagarko local government area of Kaduna State.
Two Nigerian policemen were killed by the gunmen.
Confirming the development to journalists on Saturday, State Commissioner of Police, Mr Agyole Abeh said the two foreigners were rescued by the police at Jere area in Kagarko Local Government Area of the state.
Abeh said that one suspect has been arrested in connection with the abduction.
He explained that the kidnapped foreigners were released inside a bush at about 6 a.m on Saturday morning.
“The development followed a massive manhunt of the abductors by men of the Command and the Inspector General of Police Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad,” he said.
He also gave the assurance that the police were on the trail of the remaining suspects with a view to arresting them and bringing them to justice.
In Lagos, ACP Abba Kyari, head of the Inspector-General of police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), said two of the suspected kidnappers were arrested. He also gave a different time of rescue, 7.30 am, to Kaduna state commissioner of police version of 6 a.m.
Kyari said the rescue operation was carried out by a combined team of IRT, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and the Kaduna Police Command deployed by the Inspector-General of Police.
“We rescued the two Americans and two Canadian citizens, three males and one female in fairly good health around 7:30 a.m. today, Jan. 20.
“Those rescued are; Nate Vangeest and Rachel Kelley, Canada, as well as John Kirlin and Dean Slocum, U.S.
“The victims have been handed over to the American Embassy in Abuja for medical attention and other immediate needs,’’ Kyari said.
He two of the kidnappers were arrested during the operation and efforts were ongoing to arrest others who were at large.
