Infamous ‘Kidnap Kingpin’ Wadume Receives Heroic Welcome in Taraba After Jail Term

In a scene reminiscent of a hero’s return, Hamisu Bala, widely known as “kidnap kingpin” Wadume, was greeted by a jubilant crowd as he returned to his hometown in Ibbi, Taraba State, on Sunday.

After being arrested by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector-General of Police in 2019, Wadume was finally released from Kuje Prison in Abuja on Friday, sources confirm.

Reports from prison sources indicate that Wadume had completed his concurrent jail sentence. Upon his release, he was transported to Ibbi via the Benue River, where he was met with thousands of enthusiastic supporters, including youths and women.

According to Musa Garba, a resident of Ibbi, the entire town came to a standstill to welcome Wadume. Elders and youths alike gathered by the riverbank to greet him, escorting him through the town to his home.

Speaking on his visit to the Chief of Ibbi chiefdom, Alhaji Salihu Danbawuro, Wadume expressed gratitude for the unwavering support he received during his trial and imprisonment. Chief Danbawuro echoed the sentiment, expressing joy at Wadume’s return to his hometown.

Wadume’s arrest in 2019 was marred by controversy when soldiers attacked the police team transporting him, resulting in the death of three policemen and two civilians. The soldiers were later questioned by a joint panel, with one confessing to aiding Wadume’s escape.

After two weeks of unlawful freedom, Wadume was rearrested in Kano and subsequently sentenced to seven years in jail for escaping lawful custody and dealing in prohibited firearms. Despite the conviction, the charges of kidnapping were not proven.

Wadume’s reception in Ibbi draws parallels to the return of former Delta State Governor James Ibori in 2017 after serving a jail term in the UK. Like Ibori, Wadume’s homecoming was met with widespread celebration, showcasing the complex dynamics of public perception and the nuances of justice in Nigeria.