Abducted Nigerian lawmaker freed after ransom payment

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) – A recently abducted member of the Nigerian parliament has been freed after his family reportedly paid a $32,000 ransom, an aide to the lawmaker told Anadolu Agency on Saturday.

The MP, Sani Bellow Mashi – who says he was freed on Thursday – told Anadolu Agency on Saturday that it has been a “terrible” experience.

Abubakar Adamu, an assistant to the lawmaker, told Anadolu Agency by phone that the MP and an assistant had both been freed after a payment.

"They were freed after the sum of 10 million naira [$32,000] was paid ... They are in good health," he added.

Bello was taken late on Tuesday as he was being driven to his farm with an aide in northwestern Kaduna state, according to government minister Hadi Sirika.

The MP represents the Mashi/Dvisi constituency in Nigeria’s 360-member House of Representatives.

Kaduna state police spokesman Aliyu Usman also confirmed the release to Anadolu Agency but did not provide further details.

High-profile abductions are becoming a trend in many parts of the country, especially in the Kaduna axis.

Sierra Leone's deputy high commissioner to Nigeria, Maj. Gen. Alfred Nelson-Williams, was kidnapped in the state two months ago. He has since been freed but it is not clear if any ransom had been paid. His abductors had demanded for $150,000.

Bello told Anadolu Agency that he now supported a life sentence for kidnappers. An anti-kidnapping bill is currently before the Nigerian parliament.