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Nigerian Politicians Released Days After Abduction


Reports from Nigeria say eight politicians have been freed nearly a week after being abducted by an armed gang in southwestern Nigeria.

The politicians, all members of the ruling People's Democratic Party, were abducted last Saturday at a party gathering in Ondo state. Three colleagues kidnapped with them were released earlier in the week. Media reports from Nigeria on Saturday say the remaining eight politicians were released Friday.

The armed group was demanding a ransom of about four million dollars for allegedly helping the ruling party rig elections in April. The group threatened to release photos of government officials meeting with gang members and supplying them with weapons.

Ruling party officials in Ondo state denied having any agreement with the gang, and state officials denounced the kidnappers as criminals.

International observers say Nigeria's April elections were badly marred by widespread vote-rigging. The European Union declared the elections "not credible." Opposition parties have challenged many of the results in court.

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