The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Benue State, Matthew Abo, has been abducted by armed bandits.
Abo was abducted from his residence at his hometown in Zaki-Biam community of Ukum Local Government Area of the state on Sunday night, September 25.
According to reports, Abo was abducted by gunmen who rode on four motorcycles to his house in Zaki-Biam, a rural town famous for being the largest yam market in the country.
Eyewitnesses say the gunmen arrived at the information commissioner’s residence and ordered everyone, including his wife and children to lie face down, after which they whisked Abo to an unknown destination on one of the motorcycles. The abductors compelled the commissioner at gunpoint to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles while a gunman sandwiched him.
Confirming the incident, the Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor, Hyacinth Alia, Kula Tersoo, said:
“Unfortunately, he (commissioner) was kidnapped in his country home in Ukum LGA, around 8pm on, Sunday, September 24, 2023. He was in his home with his family, children and his people when the armed men came in. They forced him to a bike. We received the unfortunate development and His Excellency, Governor Hyacinth Alia has already directed and detailed the security operatives to ensure his safe release from the kidnappers den.”
