Gunmen Abduct Commissioner of Information in Benue

According to Gistlover, the Benue State Commissioner of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Matthew Abo, has been kidnapped by gunmen.

Gunmen riding motorbikes pulled up to Abo’s country home in Zaki Biam’s Ukum local government district around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, and kidnapped him. Abo was with his family at the time.

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.

On August 29, 2023, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the state’s governor, administered Abo’s oath of office.

Kula Tersoo, the governor’s chief press secretary, confirmed the commissioner’s kidnapping and claimed it happened at his rural residence.

 “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 said.