A Commissioner with the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NISIEC), Barrister Mohammed Ahmed Wawa, has regained his freedom after spending 338 days in captivity in the hands of bandits.
Wawa, popularly known as Ahmed Lawyer, was abducted alongside the former Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhassan Bawa Niworo, who had earlier regained his freedom.
The NISIEC Commissioner was kidnapped in Ibbi Forest a few weeks before the commencement of the local government elections, while travelling to Minna, the Niger State capital, for an official engagement.
He was released at about 7 a.m. on Wednesday along the Funtua axis in Katsina State after an undisclosed amount was reportedly paid as ransom.
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Narrating his ordeal after his release, Ahmed said he did not take a bath even once throughout his period in captivity, adding that he was forced to live among cattle rustled by his abductors.
He said he was fed only once daily with Tuwon Masara da Miyan Kuka, a popular northern staple, while the cattle became his companions in the forest, as he slept in their midst.
“Throughout my stay in my abductors’ den for over 300 days, I did not take a bath. When I was handed over to my family, the first thing I did was to take an hour-long bath. The experience was traumatic,” he said.
Ahmed expressed appreciation to everyone who supported his family and contributed to securing his release, while thanking God for returning him alive to his family.