Kidnapped Sierra Leonean diplomat released in Nigeria

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria

Sierra Leone’s deputy high commissioner to Nigeria, who was kidnapped last week, had been freed, police said Tuesday.

Alfred Nelson-Williams was abducted on the highway between Kaduna, northwest Nigeria, and the capital Abuja on June 30.

Police spokesman Don Awunah told Anadolu Agency: “The diplomat has been freed and reunited with his family.”

His release was also confirmed by a Foreign Ministry source, who said it was unclear whether he was freed Tuesday or late Monday, as well as a senior police officer in Abuja. Both spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case.

“I cannot confirm or deny whether any ransom was paid,” the police officer said. “But what I can confirm is that he has been released by his abductors.”

According to the Sierra Leonean High Commission, the kidnappers had demanded a 40 million naira ($150,000) ransom in a telephone call to the mission the day after the abduction.

Nelson-Williams was appointed Sierra Leone’s chief of defense in 2008 after a 33-year military career. He held the post until he was appointed deputy high commissioner last year.

Although kidnapping is a more common phenomenon in Nigeria’s south, where foreign oil workers are often taken hostage, it is increasing in the north. In March, a Nigerian army colonel was found dead in Kaduna state two days after he was abducted.