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The abducted Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Mrs Bridget Esene, has been released by her kidnappers.

Esene, who was on Sunday morning, kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Benin City, regained her freedom at about 4 pm on Tuesday.

The Edo Police Command, through its spokesman, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed her release but declined to comment on whether a ransom was paid or not.

A reliable family source, however, disclosed that some amount of money was paid as ransom before Esene’s abductors released her on Tuesday evening.

According to the source, who pleaded anonymity, “We were very discreet about how we went about securing her freedom because of the publicity generated by her abduction.

“Yes, we had to pay to get her released but the amount is not what I can say publicly for security reason. She was released to us this afternoon at about 4 pm,” the family source further volunteered.”

The NIS spokeswoman was kidnapped in Ikhueniro area of Benin, a section of the Edo State capital, which has remained a flashpoint of sundry crimes in recent times.