A former Minister of Environment, Mrs. Laurentia Mallam and her husband, Mr. Pius Mallam who were kidnapped by armed persons on Monday night in Kaduna State have been freed by their captors.

SaharaReporters quoted a close family source confirming the release of the former minister and her husband.

The family reportedly paid an undisclosed sum for ransom before the kidnappers set the aged couple free after series of bargaining over the ransom.

Earlier on Wednesday, the House of Representatives had directed the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) to facilitate the release of former Minister of Environment, Mrs Lawrencia Mallam and her husband.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Sunday Katung (Kaduna State).

Moving the motion, Katung called on the Police and the DSS to intensify efforts to ensure the safe release of the kidnapped couple and the abductors apprehended.

He said there was need for the Police and other security agencies to step up surveillance on the Bwari/Jere/Kaduna road.

Katung said that the former minister and her husband, Mr Pius Mallam, were kidnapped at about 7p.m. after their attackers shot their driver.

“The kidnappers dispossessed the driver of his mobile phone and thereafter used the phone to contact a family member to demand for ransom,’’ he said.

The lawmaker further expressed worry that the spate of kidnapping was in the increase along the Bwari/Jere road.

He expressed concern that 48 hours after the incident, the Police and other security agencies were unable to secure the release of the victims.