From Linus Oota, Lafia
Kidnapped former Deputy Governor of Nassarawa State, Prof Onje Gye-Wado, has regained his freedom after paying about N4m ransom to his abductors.
Gye-Wado, a professor of law, was kidnapped last week at his country home in Rinza, near Wamba, by gunmen who scaled the fence and gained entry into the house through the wife’s room.
He was released on Sunday night, near Angwan Chiyawa, after his abductors collected the ransom by Mada Hills Secondary School, Akwanga, a source told The Nation.
Earlier, his kidnappers demanded N70m for his release, an amount the family said they could not afford. The negotiation began from N2m and was later increased to about N4m which the kidnappers accepted.
“They collected the ransom near Mada Hills Secondary School in Akwanga, with 200 naira recharge card. Then he was released near Angwan Chiyawa, close to those hills between Akwanga and Nasarawa Eggon” the source said.
It was gathered that Prof Gye-Wado was taken back to the palace of the paramount ruler of Wamba, Oriye Rindre, Justice Lawal Musa Nagogo, upon his release.
A former Commissioner for Information, Dogo Shammah, confirmed Gye-Wado’s release through a message. He wrote: “To God be the Glory Prof. Onje is finally released from the hands of kidnappers just now.”
The state Police Command also confirmed the former Deputy Governor’s release, adding that he regained freedom around 9pm on Sunday and had been reunited with his family.
Spokesman for the command, DSP Ramhan Nansel said the police were not aware about the payment of ransom, adding that he was freed as a result of sustained pressure mounted on the kidnappers by a combined security team.