Residents of the Serkin Kudu area of Ibi in Taraba state have aired their sadness over the re-arrest of the kidnapper, Hamisu Wadume by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
Social Media was set ablaze some days back, following reports that the kidnapper was arrested by the police, only for some Nigerian army officers to rescue him and gun down three policemen in the process.
However, the multimillionaire kidnapper was nabbed again by the IGP Intelligence Response Team in Kano, on Monday.
Now, residents in his community, who may have been “benefactors” of proceeds from his criminal activities, have revealed how he was generous and always gave back to them.
Speaking with newsmen from Punch, a resident identified as Yahaya Maikifi, stated, “His arrest is no good news to the people of Angwan Motori in Serkin Kudu area of Ibi in Taraba State, and other people who had been beneficiaries of his “generosity.”
“He was a benevolent philanthropist that did not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, religion or tribe.
“Wadume is constructing a mosque in our area. The project is almost completed and his arrest will stall the project.”
A second resident, Michael Adi, spoke on the borehole that the kidnaper sponsored, adding that his contributions lifted many residents out of poverty.
Michael said, “I wish you were here to see the mood of the people. Nobody is happy over the development.
“Let’s be truthful to ourselves, Hamisu has done well with the people of Ibi and beyond.
“For some of us here, he has done well by eliminating poverty out of some families,” Michael Adi said.
Also, read: South-East governors react to Nnamdi Kanu’s threat against Igbo leaders