Former Chairman of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Alhassan Bawa-Niworo, has regained freedom after spending seven months in captivity following his abduction by bandits.
Bawa-Niworo was kidnapped on September 29, 2025, along the New Bussa-Mokwa Road while travelling to Minna, the Niger State capital.
His eldest son, Saifullah Bawa-Niworo, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday, disclosing that the former SUBEB chairman was released by his abductors on Sunday.
According to him, the family had earlier paid N30m ransom to secure his release, but the kidnappers allegedly failed to free him afterward and later demanded an additional N120m.
Saifullah explained that the initial ransom payment was raised through bank loans as well as financial support from friends and relatives.
He, however, declined to state whether any further payment was made before the former education board chairman regained his freedom.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the command had yet to receive official information regarding Bawa-Niworo’s release.
