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Although the Soludo family was silent on the ransom payment, a reliable source close to the family told Daily Sun that the money was paid at about 8pm Wednesday night.

Pa Soludo, after being held for nine days, according to the source, was thereafter freed and dropped at Uga in Aguata local government at about 10pm after the kidnappers confirmed receiving the money. Pa Soludo was abducted by unknown gun men on Tuesday, last week, in the presence of his relations while having his dinner.

The abductors, the source further said, had kept Pa Soludo at Isuochi community in Abia State and ordered that the ransom be brought to them along Ufuma, Oko area. They later called the driver who dropped the money to pick the old man up at a particular spot in Uga.

On arrival in his compound, Pa Soludo was said to have had a serious shock on sighting security men with guns. The old man noted that, that was how his abductors carried guns around and it took some time for him to overcome the shock.

The source commended the state Police Command, noting that in the cause of investigating the case, the police combed all the bad spots in the state and made some arrests in the process and recovered some arms and ammunitions.

He also disclosed that the police found the hideout of the criminals but could not attack it because of their threat and fear of bloodshed. He added that the police used MTN tracking devices to locate their hideout as they discussed with the family on phone.

However, the release of Pa Soludo was being shrouded in secrecy yesterday as both the police and family members refused to give details of how and where he was released.

At about 8.30am yesterday when Daily Sun arrived the Isuofia family house, the old man was said to have been sleeping only for him to be brought in about 45 minutes later.

He was conveyed into the house a black Peugeot car with Abuja registration number AZ182RSH, with security men refusing pressmen from either speaking with him or take his photographs.

Visitors to the compound were also turned back with a plea to allow the old man have some rest.

Pa Soludo, who was dressed in a white lace caftan with a red traditional cap to fit, looked a bit frail. Another source disclosed he insisted on going to see his bosom friend who went into coma on hearing the news of his kidnap and was hospitalised.

“We thought he was sleeping but I heard he insisted on going to see his friend in the hospital and that is where they are coming from now.”

Few minutes later, at about 10.20am, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Oshodi Glover, and Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Chris Ezike, stormed the compound and after seeing the man, came out and told newsmen that Pa Soludo was hale and hearty.

Glover said, “That is very true, we’ve seen him now. He is very hale and hearty. The release was effected last night. I don’t know anything about the ransom but all I know is that he is now safe; he has been released and we are happy.”

Confirming the arrest made in the process of investigating the matter, Glover said, “yes, there are arrests but we are still working on it. so, let us just keep it under wraps for now.”

Meanwhile, one of the sons of Pa Soludo, Mr. Ogochukwu, who spoke on phone from Abuja, said the family members were both happy and sober. He said, “We are happy but we are sober still. We need to know his state of health. I am coming to take him for medical attention.”

Ogochukwu denied the allegation that the family hid theirfather to score cheap political point.

He stated that their family was too decent to do such a thing, stressing: “We are decent people and our father gave us life, we cannot use him as a pawn. It is only people like Chris Uba who will say such a thing. We have strong belief in God and every man will reap the fruits of his work.”

Similarly, the Soludo Campaign Organisation, yesterday, expressed its delight at the release of Pa. Soludo.

In a statement signed by Don Obiekie, the organisation said, “The Soludo Campaign Organization was relieved and delighted to receive information from the Divisional Police Officer in Aguata Local Government Area, Mr. Samuel Dang, who announced that the 78-year old Pa Simeon Soludo, has been released by the kidnappers who have kept him in captivity for 10 days.

“According to the police, Soludo was released about 10pm on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, along the Uga Road, in Aguata. Pa Soludo, father of the PDP Governorship candidate for the Anambra State 2010 election, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, is currently undergoing medical examination to ascertain his health condition, following the physical, psychological and emotional trauma, which he suffered from of the unfortunate incident”.