A former deputy governor of Nasarawa State, Professor Onje Gye-Wado, has regained his freedom nine days after he was kidnapped.
Gye-Wado was abducted from his residence in Rinza village, Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State last Friday. His abductors had demanded a N70 million ransom but his family members pleaded that the ransom be reduced to N2 million.
Ramham Nansel, spokesman for Nasarawa Police Command claimed that no ransom was paid for the ex-deputy governor’s release. WikkiTimes gathered that Gye-Wado was released yesterday night.
“He was released around 9 pm yesterday (Sunday), due to sustained pressure from the search and rescue team. No ransom was paid,” the police spokesman told Punch.
But the spokesman lied, according to an account given by a family source who revealed that a ransom of N4 million was paid before Gye-Wado was set free.
The source added: “They collected the ransom of about N4 million 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 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.”
Meanwhile, the police said, “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.”