Benue State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo, was kidnapped by armed men on Sunday night at his home in Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of the state.
According to sources, the kidnappers arrived on four motorcycles around 8:00 pm and stormed into his living room where he was with his family.
An eyewitness 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 abductors forced the commissioner to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles while a gunman sandwiched him.
Abo was among the 17 commissioners inaugurated by Governor Hyacinth Alia on August 29, 2023.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, has also confirmed that the commissioner was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
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.”
