Safiyanu Isah Andaha, the kidnapped Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Council in Nasarawa State, has been freed, along with his friend Adamu Custom and two others, who were abducted on Monday night along the Akwanga-Andaha road.
Contrary to earlier reports, the Police have said that no ransom was paid for their release.
According to a confidential source, the victims regained their freedom near an abandoned filling station on Bayan Dutse road, situated on the outskirts of Andaha town.
The source, speaking to The Tribune under anonymity, revealed that a sum of 10 million naira was allegedly paid as ransom.
“They were released around 9pm at Bayan dutse road and the sum of N10 million was paid as ransom,” the source disclosed.
Furthermore, the source claimed to have overheard the chairman describing the kidnappers as Fulani and referred to them as ‘small small boys,’ maneuvering through bush paths during their captivity.
Upon their release, the freed individuals were immediately taken to Adamu Custom’s personal residence in Andaha and later escorted with heavy security to FMC Keffi.
In contradiction to the ransom claims, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Ramhan Nansel adamantly stated that no ransom was exchanged for their release.
“The Chairman and the person the abductors contacted confirmed to us that no dime was paid.
“They were released at about 8:40pm due to sustained pressure mounted on them by our operatives deployed on their trail.The authors of above publications should make more findings;” the PPRO stated.
