Nigerian electoral commission official freed after 11 months in captivity
In Nigeria’s Niger State, Mohammed Wawa, a member of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission, has been released after being abducted about 11 months ago. According to Premium Times Nigeria, he was freed in the Funtua area near the border between Katsina and Zamfara states.
Circumstances of the release
A family source told the publication that Wawa was released on Wednesday night after an additional ransom was paid to the kidnappers. According to relatives, 40 million naira had previously been paid for his release, but the kidnappers did not free him. The amount of the additional payment was not disclosed.
Wawa is from the Borgu Local Government Area. He was abducted in September 2025 on the New Bussa–Ibbi road while returning from his hometown ahead of local elections.
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More than 300 days in captivity
According to Wawa, as relayed by his family, he spent more than 300 days in captivity and was unable to bathe throughout that time. He also said that he was fed once a day, mainly corn flour and miyan kuka, a traditional northern soup.
According to him, captives were held among livestock and drew water from the same source as cows. A family member said Wawa’s physical condition indicated the hardships he had endured and that the official needed a comprehensive medical examination.
The family thanked the people and groups that supported it during the abduction and expressed hope for the release of other hostages. The publication notes that abductions by armed groups remain a serious security problem in some areas of Niger State, particularly on remote roads and in communities near borders with other states.
