Kidnappers Demand N300m More After Collecting N40m Ransom for Abducted INEC Commissioner

The kidnappers holding the Permanent Commissioner of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), Barrister Ahmed Mohammed, have made a fresh demand of N300 million, despite the family having already paid N40 million in ransom .

Barrister Ahmed was abducted on September 29, 2025, along the Mokwa–Ibbi Road in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State while travelling to Minna on official duty . He was taken just weeks before the November 1, 2025, local government elections in the state .

According to a family member who spoke anonymously, the abductors re-established contact on Monday, June 29, 2026, to inform the family about the new ransom demand .

“They call almost every day. It was only yesterday (Tuesday) that they did not call. They requested an additional N300 million. We are appealing to the Niger State Government to come to our aid and secure his release,” the family member said .

The family has revealed that Barrister Ahmed’s health is seriously deteriorating in captivity . A close friend of the victim, Ayuba Abubakar, confirmed that the family has exhausted all means to secure his release.

“We have tried, sold everything but the bandits are insisting that we must pay the N100 million each on three of them including that of the dead driver,” Abubakar had previously told Leadership . The driver who was abducted alongside the commissioner died in captivity, and the bandits are reportedly still demanding ransom on his behalf .

The case has drawn attention to the persistent wave of kidnappings in Niger State, with the family appealing for urgent government intervention to rescue Barrister Ahmed after nine months in captivity .