Chief Ekpe Ogbu, the Benue state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, was reportedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Sunday night.
Chief Ogbu, a former Special Adviser and Local Government Council Chairman, was abducted with two others around 6 p.m. along Ado-Otukpo road in the state’s South Senatorial District.
According to a local source, the Commissioner, who is from Utonkon in Ado Local Government Area, was on his way home in his official Hilux Van when he was stopped and kidnapped by an armed gang at Adankari Junction in Otukpo LGA.
It was gathered that the Hilux Van the victim was traveling in which was abandoned at the point of kidnap has already been recovered by the Police in Otukpo while the search for him has commenced.
It would be recalled that the Ado-Otukpo axis of Benue state has gained notoriety for kidnappings and other forms of violent crimes.
The Council Chairman of Ado LGA, James Oche and security agencies have in recent time been engaged in running battles with the criminals terrorising the communities on that axis of the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue state on Security Matters, Colonel Paul Hemba (retd.) who confirmed the development said efforts were on to rescue the Commissioner and arrest the abductors.
The Chairman of Ado LGA where the Commissioner hails from who also confirmed the incident said “he is a Commissioner from our Local Government so we are working with all the security agencies and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters to ensure his rescued.”