Mr Matthew Abo, the Benue State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen in the state’s Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area.
Mr Tahav Agerzua, a former Special Adviser on Media and ICT to the state’s immediate past governor, announced the purported kidnapping on his Facebook page on Sunday night.
He said that the newly appointed commissioner was kidnapped by armed individuals who raided his private apartment at 8 p.m. Sunday.
According to Mr Agerzua’s post, armed men invaded the commissioner’s home on motorcycles and dragged him away at gunpoint after ordering his wife, children, and others who were with him to lie face down.
Mr Agerzua’s post stated:
“There are confirmed reports that several gunmen stormed the residence of Matthew Abo, Benue State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Zaki-Biam, and abducted him about two hours ago.
“Eyewitnesses state that 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 witnesses said the abductors compelled the commissioner at gunpoint to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles, while a gunman sandwiched him.
“The abduction took place after 8p.m. on Sunday, 24th September, 2023. The matter has been reported to the police.”
The abducted commissioner, who is from Ukum Council, was sworn in as a member of the Benue State Executive Council on August 29, 2023.
cc: Vanguard Ng
