Gunmen have abducted the Benue State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo.
This comes a few days after the Benue Election Petition Tribunal affirmed the election victory of the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia.
Abo who was with his family members at his country home in Zaki Biam, Ukum local government area of the state was abducted by gunmen who rode motorcycles to his house around 8:00 pm on Sunday.
According to an eyewitness, “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 sworn in on August 29th, 2023 by Gov Hyacinth Alia.
Confirming the abduction of the Commissioner, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kula Tersoo said he was kidnapped in his country home.
“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,” he told Tribune.