A member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), M.A. Mustafa, who was abducted by gunmen near Lokoja, Kogi State, has regained his freedom.
His release was confirmed on Wednesday morning, though details of how he was freed remain undisclosed.
However, there is still no word on the fate of the two individuals kidnapped alongside him.
“Our colleague, Mustafa Esq, has been released,” a source within the NBA confirmed on Wednesday.
Mustafa, a lawyer from the NBA’s Oleh branch, was taken hostage on Saturday along with two others and transported to an unknown location.
The kidnappers later contacted the wife of one of the victims, Ezikiah Grifits, demanding N60 million for their release.
A source familiar with the situation revealed that the kidnappers made their first ransom call on Thursday evening, demanding N60 million for Mustafa, Grifits, and John Otuloho.
By Friday morning, they reduced their demand to N40 million, but when Grifits’ brother offered N1 million, the call was abruptly cut off.
“We have been expecting them to call back,” the source said. “Earlier today, I attempted to reach Mustafa’s phone.
“It rang once but was not answered. When I tried again, the phone had been switched off.”
While Mustafa is now free, uncertainty looms over the status of Grifits and Otuloho.