The gunmen who kidnapped the Benue Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mathew Abo, have demanded a ransom of N60 million from his family.
A family source disclosed to journalists in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, that the abductors made the demand in a phone call to a member of the family on Friday, September 29, 2023.
The source revealed that the recipient of the call (name withheld) said the kidnappers had resorted to torturing the commissioner to press home for their demand.
The source added that the commissioner’s family member placed his phone on loudspeaker so that the beating of the commissioner and his cries for help could be heard.
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Gunmen had stormed the commissioner’s residence in Zaki-Biam in Ukum Local Government Area of State and kidnapped him at about 8 p.m. on September 24.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the kidnappers who came on four motorcycles ordered everyone in the house, including the commissioner’s wife and children, to lie face down before they took away the victim.
The witnesses said the abductors compelled the commissioner to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles and took Abo to an unknown destination.
The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, who confirmed the incident on Monday morning, said Governor Hyacinth Alia had directed security operatives to ensure the commissioner’s safe release.
However, when asked if the kidnappers have made contact with either the family or government, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene, simply “investigation is ongoing”.
