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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Bandits Release Niger Electoral Commissioner After 11 Months in Captivity

From Premium Times · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Mohammed Wawa, a Niger State electoral commissioner, regained his freedom nearly 11 months after bandits abducted him.
  • A family source said kidnappers released him near the Katsina-Zamfara border after an additional ransom payment, following an initial payment of 40 million naira.
  • Wawa described harsh conditions in captivity, and his family called for a comprehensive medical examination.

Mohammed Wawa took a one-hour bath as soon as his family received him, after spending more than 300 days in captivity without washing. The Niger State Independent Electoral Commission commissioner said his captors gave him one meal a day, mainly corn flour and Miyan Kuka, a traditional northern soup.

“The source of drinking water was the same as that of cows. We stayed in the midst of cattle, drinking the same water,” Wawa was quoted as saying by a family source. “Throughout my stay in captivity for over 300 days, I did not take a bath. So, when they handed me over to my family yesterday, the first thing I did was to take a one-hour bath. The experience was traumatising.”

The source of drinking water was the same as that of cows. We stayed in the midst of cattle, drinking the same water.

· Mohammed WawaHe described the conditions during more than 300 days in captivity.

Wawa, who comes from Borgu Local Government Area, was reportedly released on Wednesday night in the Funtua axis, near the boundary between Katsina and Zamfara states. His family said the kidnappers had held him after receiving an initial ransom of 40 million naira, and released him only after an additional payment.

Throughout my stay in captivity for over 300 days, I did not take a bath. So, when they handed me over to my family yesterday, the first thing I did was to take a one-hour bath. The experience was traumatising.

· Mohammed WawaHe recounted his first moments after his release.

The commissioner was abducted in September 2025 along the New Bussa-Ibbi road while returning from his hometown before local government elections. A family member said Wawa’s physical condition showed the hardship he had endured and urged comprehensive medical care. “Merely looking at the barrister, you will know that he has gone through a lot. He needs a comprehensive medical check-up,” the family member said.

The family thanked the individuals and groups who supported them and prayed for the release of others still held by kidnappers. Kidnapping by armed groups remains a security challenge in parts of Niger State, especially on remote highways and in communities bordering other states. The New Bussa-Ibbi corridor has previously faced insecurity affecting travellers and residents.

Merely looking at the barrister, you will know that he has gone through a lot. He needs a comprehensive medical check-up.

· Family memberThe family called for medical attention after observing Wawa’s condition.
About this summary

Originally published by Premium Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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