Some gunmen on Sunday night invaded the residence of Benue State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo, and kidnapped him.
The occurrence took place at approximately 8:00 p.m. in his rural residence located in Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of the state.
The commissioner was reportedly at home with his family members when the assailants, arriving on four motorcycles, gained access to his living room.
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 one of the 17 commissioners inaugurated on August 29, 2023, by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kula Tersoo, verified the commissioner’s abduction.
He said, “Yes he was kidnapped. Unfortunately, he was kidnapped in his country home in Ukum LGA, around 8 pm 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.”