Kidnappers Release Corpse of Ex-Lawmaker After ₦50m Ransom

​KANO — The Jigawa political landscape has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of Hon. Abba Anas Adamu, a former member of the House of Representatives and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Adamu, who was abducted by gunmen last Wednesday, died in captivity before his family could secure his release.

​The deceased was kidnapped alongside another prominent ADC figure, Ali Tukur Gantsa, while they were traveling from Kano to Abuja for a party congress. The assailants intercepted their vehicle near Rijana/Jere, a notorious flashpoint on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.

​A Ransom Paid in Vain

​According to family sources, the kidnappers initially demanded a staggering ₦200 million for the release of both men. Following days of tense negotiations, the sum was reportedly slashed to ₦50 million.

​Tragedy struck when the ransom was delivered to the forest by Adamu’s son and personal driver. While Ali Tukur Gantsa was released alive, the abductors led the family members to the lifeless body of the former lawmaker.

​Health Crisis in the Bush

​Investigations reveal that Hon. Adamu, who battled asthma and hypertension, was denied access to his life-saving medications throughout his stay in the kidnappers’ den. The combination of extreme physical exhaustion, psychological trauma, and the lack of medical care is believed to have led to his demise.

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​Sources indicate that Gantsa had made frantic efforts to comfort and stabilize his colleague as his health spiraled, but the harsh conditions of the forest proved fatal. The kidnappers reportedly kept Adamu’s death a secret until the ransom transaction was finalized.

​Tributes Pour In

​The news has sent shockwaves through the ADC and the wider Jigawa political community. Colleagues have described Adamu as a “man of the people” and a politician of high integrity who remained committed to grassroots development.

​As of Monday evening, the remains of the former lawmaker were being transported to Kano. While the Jigawa State Police Command is yet to issue a formal statement, burial arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming hours.