Gunmen have reportedly kidnapped the Benue State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo.
The commissioner was seized and whisked away on Sunday from his country home in Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of the state.
It was learnt that the commissioner was with members of his family around 8.00pm when the armed men came on four motorcycles and found their way into his living room.
A family member, who pleaded anonymity, said: “The kidnappers came on four motorcycles, ordered everyone in the house including the commissioner’s wife and children to lie face down, and took him away to an unknown destination on one of the motorcycles.
“The commissioner was forced to sit on one of the motorcycles while he was sandwiched between the rider and a gunman.
Confirming the incident, Kula Tersoo, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, said the news of the abduction of the commissioner, who was among the 17 commissioners sworn in on August 29, 2023, by Governor Alia, came as rude shock
He said: “Yes he was kidnapped. Unfortunately, he was kidnapped in his country home in Ukum LGA, around 8pm on, Sunday, September 24, 2023.
“He was 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.”
