The Benue state commissioner for culture and tourism, Matthew Abo, have been abducted by unknown gunmen.
Available information indicates that the armed men arrived at the residence of the commissioner located in Zaki-Biam, the administrative centre of Ukum Local Government Area, and started shooting indiscriminately before whisking him away at about 8:00pm on Sunday.
It was gathered that the gunmen ordered everyone in the house, including the Commissioner’s wife and children, to lie face down, after which they took him away to an unknown destination on one of the motorcycles they brought.
Kula Tersoo, the Chief Press Secretary to the Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia, while confirming the kidnap of the commissioner, 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.”
