Abducted Niger Electoral Commissioner Remains in Captivity Nine Months After Family Paid N40m Ransom

Abducted Niger Electoral Commissioner Remains in Captivity Nine Months After Family Paid N40m Ransom

The Permanent Commissioner of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), Barrister Ahmed Mohammed, has remained in captivity nine months after he was abducted by bandits, despite reports that his family paid a N40 million ransom in a bid to secure his release.

Barrister Ahmed was kidnapped on September 29, 2025, along the Mokwa–Ibbi Road in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State while travelling to Minna on an official assignment. His abduction occurred about four weeks before the state’s local government elections held on November 1, 2025.

According to a family member who spoke DailyTrust , the kidnappers have now demanded an additional N300 million for his release.

The source said the abductors contacted the family again on June 29, 2026, to ask if they were prepared to meet the new demand, but the family said it could not raise the money.

“They call almost every day. We are appealing to the Niger State Government to come to our aid and secure his release. He was kidnapped while carrying out an official assignment for the Niger State Government,” the family member said.

A close associate of the victim, Ayuba Abubakar, also appealed for urgent intervention, saying the family had exhausted all available efforts to secure his freedom.

He expressed concern over reports that the electoral commissioner’s health had deteriorated during his prolonged captivity and urged the Niger State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to ensure his safe and immediate release.

Neither the Niger State Government nor security agencies had officially responded to the latest ransom demand as of the time of filing this report.

Abducted Niger Electoral Commissioner Remains in Captivity Nine Months After Family Paid N40m Ransom