Abducted Niger monarch freed after N10 million ransom payment

After 45 days in captivity of armed bandits, the Dodo of Wawa in Borgu Kingdom, Dr. Mahmud Aliyu has finally breathed the air of freedom.

The monarch was rumoured to have been released two weeks ago in some media, but family sources denied seeing him in the palace as the rumour created a lot of confusion among the family of the traditional ruler.

His release has finally put to rest the unfounded rumour that was earlier peddled in some quarters in the last two weeks.

Dr Mahmud Aliyu was abducted by heavily armed bandits numbering over 30 in the early September, from his palace in Wawa and whisked away by the dare-devil gunmen who rode on convoy of 30 motorcycles.

He was said to have been released at about 8:15 pm on Tuesday after the payment of N10 milion ransom to the bandits.

Confirming the release of the monarch in an interview with CAPITAL POST in Minna, the Talban of Wawa, Mallam Salihu Ahmed said the Dodo of Wawa has finally regained his freedom from the hands of his captors after spending 45 days in captivity.

He explained that he was among the negotiating team that spoke with the bandits in their forest along Banana road in Borgu Local Government in the last five days.

“I can authoritatively confirm to you that the Dodo of Wawa has finally regained his freedom from the captivity of the armed bandits after spending 45 days in their hands. His release is no longer rumour as was peddled in some media two weeks ago.

“As I’m talking to you now, the Dodo is now in his palace receiving visitors. We paid the sum of N10 milion as ransom before they released him to me along Banana.

He was released to me exactly 15 minutes after 8 on on Tuesday evening before I drove him to his palace in Wawa” he told CAPITAL POST.

He said the monarch was released in good condition but he was only held in captivity by the armed bandits.

The Talban Wawa told CAPITAL POST that the bandits have been contacting him through the phone of the monarch in the last two weeks to facilitate the release of the Dodo with an assurance to make available the sum of N10 million as ransom.

He disclosed that the bandits called him in the early hours of Saturday to inform him that they will release the traditional ruler on Sunday, that he should ensure that the ransom will be ready before his release.

“They sent a text message with the Dodo’s phone line that they are waiting for me with the N10 million ransom. They warned that they just want only me to come and pick him without any other third party” he disclosed.