Kidnappers free Nasarawa ex-deputy gov after N4m ransom payment

The kidnapped former deputy governor of Nasarawa State, Prof Onje Gye-Wado, has been released after his family members reportedly paid a ransom of about N4m to his abductors.

It would be recalled that the kidnappers, who invaded Gwagi community in Wamba Local Government Area of the state last Friday and abducted Gye-Wado, had earlier placed a ransom of N70m for his release.

But the family members of the victim pleaded with N2m due to the unavailability of cash occasioned by the Easter holidays.

However, according to a family source, the insistence of the bandits to collect a higher amount of money made the family members of the don to increase the ransom to about N4m.

“They collected a ransom of about N4m near Mada Hills Secondary School in Akwanga LGA, with N200 recharge card, then he was released on Sunday night near Angwan chiyawa, close to those hills between Akwanga and Nasarawa Eggon LGA.

“After his release, Prof Onje Gye-Wado was taken to the palace of the paramount ruler of Wamba, who is the Oriye Rindre, Justice Lawal Musa Nagogo, where he reunited with other members of his community,” the source added.

Confirming his release to our correspondent in Lafia on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ramhan Nansel, said the former deputy governor was released due to the sustained pressure by officers of the police command and sister security agencies in the state.

He, however, denied claims that a ransom was paid for his release by members of his family.

Nansel said, “The former Deputy Governor, Onje Gye-Wado, was released yesterday (Sunday) at about 9pm due to sustained pressure from the search and rescue team.

“And based on what some people are saying that a ransom was paid for his release, the command is not aware of such, and to the best of my knowledge, no ransom was paid.”