M.A. Mustafa, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) who was abducted by gunmen near Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, has been released.
As reported by Afripost Sources confirmed his release on Wednesday morning, though the circumstances remain unclear.
It is also unknown whether the two other individuals taken alongside him have been freed.
“Our colleague, Mustafa Esq, has been released,” an NBA source disclosed on Wednesday.
Mustafa, a member of the NBA’s Oleh branch, was kidnapped last Saturday along with two others and taken to an undisclosed location.
The abductors later contacted the wife of one of the victims, Ezikiah Grifits, demanding a ransom of N60 million.
A source familiar with the case said the kidnappers first called on Thursday at 5 p.m., demanding N60 million for the release of Mustafa, Grifits, and another victim, John Otuloho.
By Friday morning, the ransom demand was reduced to N40 million, but Grifits’ brother countered with an offer of N1 million, prompting the kidnappers to abruptly end the call.
“Since then, we have been waiting for them to call back,” the source added. “This morning, I tried Mustafa’s number, and it rang, but no one answered. When I called again, the phone had been switched off.”
While Mustafa’s release has been confirmed, uncertainty remains about the fate of Grifits and Otuloho.
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