KOTA KINABALU, March 7 — Lance corporal Zakia Aleip, who was taken hostage by southern Philippine militants in July last year, has been released, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman announced today.
Musa related the happy news in a statement here this morning and said Zakia was in a good condition but did not elaborate on when the 26-year-old was released from captivity.
He attributed the marine policeman’s release to the continuous negotiation efforts from authorities.
“I have also contacted the prime minister just now, and he has expressed his happiness with the news and thanked all the authorities involved in his release efforts,” said Musa.
Musa, who is also chairman of the State Security Committee and Eastern Sabah Security Command, had called for a special news conference at his residence in Sandakan this morning.
The marine policeman had arrived in Sabah’s second-largest city last night and was also present at the news conference.
Zakia was abducted while on duty at the Mabul Water Bungalows Resort on Mabul island, off Semporna, on July 12 last year by six armed gunmen who killed his colleague, Corporal Ab Rajah Jamuan, 32.
State police commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman previously told reporters that the police had to change their approach to secure Zakia’s release.
He added that the militants had demanded a high ransom, though it is uncertain how much was asked.
In a bid to cut down on third-party interference, the police then sought to minimise contact between Zakia’s wife and his kidnappers.
