Former deputy governor's family end up paying kidnappers N4m to secure his release

FORMER Nasarawa State deputy governor Professor Onje Gye-Wado has been released by armed gunmen who kidnapped him last week after family paid the agreed ransom fee of N4m ($8,600).

Deputy governor Gye-Wado, a professor of law, was kidnapped in his country home at Rinza, near Wamba, the headquarters of Wamba Local Government Area. His kidnappers originally demanded a  ransom of N70m but the family began negotiations, asking to pay between  N2m and N3.5m and eventually, the two sides settled for N4m.

One family source said: “They collected the ransom near Mada Hills Secondary School in Akwanga with N200 recharge card. Then he was released near Angwan Chiyawa, close to those hills between Akwanga and Nasarawa Eggon.”

Apparently, Professor Gye-Wado was taken to the palace of the paramount ruler of Wamba, Oriye Rindre, Justice Lawal Musa Nagogo after his release. Local politician, Dogo Shammah, a former National Union of Journalists chairman and ex-commissioner of information in Nasarawa State, confirmed the release.

Mr Shammah said: “To God be the glory. Professor Onje, is finally released from the hands of kidnappers just now.”