The lifeless body of a former member of the House of Representatives and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Abba Anas Adamu, has been handed over to his family by kidnappers after the payment of ransom.
Anas was abducted alongside another Jigawa politician, Ali Tukur Gantsa, while travelling to Abuja to attend an ADC congress.
According to Daily Post, sources close to the family disclosed that the abductors initially demanded ₦100 million before negotiations later reduced the ransom to ₦50 million, which secured Gantsa’s freedom while Anas’s corpse was released to his relatives.
The incident has plunged members of the Jigawa ADC family and political associates into mourning, with many describing the late politician as humble, compassionate and committed to public service.
A family source revealed that the two politicians were kidnapped last Wednesday while travelling from Kano to Abuja for a political meeting.
According to the source, the gunmen intercepted them around Jere and whisked them into a nearby forest.
“They were abducted last Wednesday en route to Abuja from Kano for a political meeting. Abductors took them to a nearby bush in Jere, demanding a ransom of ₦200m. After prolonged negotiations, the sum of ₦50m was agreed upon,” the source said.
Findings gathered indicated that Anas, who reportedly suffered from asthma and hypertension, was without his medication throughout the period of captivity.
Sources said the harsh conditions, fear and stress inside the kidnappers’ hideout severely affected his health.
Despite repeated efforts by Gantsa to comfort and encourage him, Anas’s condition reportedly deteriorated until he eventually died in captivity.
The abductors were said to have initially concealed the development before one of them later hinted that the former lawmaker had died.
An insider disclosed that Anas’s son and driver eventually delivered the negotiated ransom to the kidnappers.
After receiving the money, the abductors reportedly freed Gantsa and showed Anas’s son the remains of his father.
As of the time of filing this report, the Jigawa chapter of the ADC had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
However, it was learnt that the remains of the deceased were being conveyed to Kano, while burial arrangements were ongoing.
