“Nine months in Hell”: Abducted Niger Electoral Commissioner still with bandits sespite N40m ransom paid

Family says captors now demanding fresh N300m, Commissioner’s health “seriously deteriorating”

Nine months after his abduction on an official trip, Barrister Ahmed Mohammed, Permanent Commissioner of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), remains in bandits’ captivity despite his family’s reported payment of *N40 million ransom*.

Barr. Ahmed was kidnapped on September 29, 2025, on the Mokwa–Ibbi Road in Borgu Local Government Area while travelling to Minna for official duties. The attack came just four weeks before the November 1, 2025 local government elections in the state.

—Fresh N300m demand, daily harassment–

A family member was quoted in a report to have said the abductors are now demanding an additional N300 million before they will free him.

“They (the bandits) call almost every day. It was only yesterday (Tuesday) that they did not call,” the source said.

“They contacted the family again on Monday to ask whether we were ready to pay the fresh ransom demand, but we cannot raise the money.”

The family is now pleading directly with government.
“We are appealing to the Niger State Government to come to our aid and secure his release. He was kidnapped while on an official engagement of the Niger State Government,” the relative said.

–“Health seriously deteriorating”

A close friend of the victim, Ayuba Abubakar, said the family has exhausted all it can do.

“We understand that the abductors have made demands, and we are also gravely concerned by reports that Barr. Ahmed’s health is seriously deteriorating,” Abubakar said.

“On behalf of his family, colleagues and well-wishers, I appeal for the urgent intervention of the Niger State Government and the support of all relevant security agencies to ensure his safe and immediate release.”

–Official Abduction, Prolonged Ordeal–

The case has drawn concern because Barr. Ahmed was taken while on state assignment, and because of the length of time he has spent in captivity.

Despite the reported N40 million already paid, his abductors have kept him for 9 months and escalated their demands, leaving his family distraught and his colleagues fearful for his life.

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As of press time, the Niger State Government and security agencies had not issued a public update on rescue efforts.