Sierra Leone says no ransom paid for diplomat Nelson Williams' abduction in Nigeria

Sierra Leone's foreign minister says no ransom was paid in the release of a diplomat who was abducted and held captive for five days in Nigeria.

Alfred Nelson Williams, Sierra Leone's deputy high commissioner to Nigeria, was abducted on June 30 while traveling to a military parade in the northwest.

At the time, Nigerian workers at Sierra Leone's embassy told Associated Press that the unidentified abductors were demanding $40 million.

Williams was released on July 5 and appeared before reporters in Sierra Leone's capital today.

He provided few details of his captivity. Foreign Minister Samura Kamara said "intense pressure by the Nigerian police" helped secure the diplomat's release, but he didn't elaborate.
 
Williams was traveling on a major highway well known for armed robbery and abductions.