The family of the Emirati hostage rescued from Nigerian kidnappers has thanked President Sheikh Khalifa and senior Government figures for ensuring his safe return.
Mohammed Khamis Majed, a 29-year-old married father of one, was freed in a dramatic rescue mission involving Emirati and Nigerian forces earlier this week. He was kidnapped by an armed gang in January while on a two-day business trip to the country.
His brother, Majed, paid tribute to Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, who called the family daily during the crisis to update them and Mr Majed's son, Hamdan, on the mission's progress.
"When, on January 20, I walked into the interior ministry's building to report my brother's abduction, the officials there were immediately involved and keen to help," Mr Majed told Al Ittihad newspaper.
"And as soon as I left the ministry, I got a call from the UAE ambassador to Nigeria, reassuring me and telling me that the embassy was standing by my brother's side.
"Sheikh Saif was the first to break the good tidings to my mother about my brother's release," Mr Majed told the newspaper, adding that the sheikh also arranged for him to leave his work in Abu Dhabi so that he could give support to his family in Umm Al Quwain.
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