The Information, Culture and Tourism commissioner for Benue state Mr. Matthew Abu, has been abducted by unknown gunmen in Zaki Byam, Occam Local Government Area of the state.
The former Special Adviser on Media and Information and Communication Technology to the former governor of the state, Tahaf Aglesua, who posted the news of the kidnapping on his Facebook page on Sunday night, was arrested by a group of armed men who attacked the sworn-in. It showed that it was done. Sunday night at his private residence around 8 p.m.
In his post, Aglezoa said gunmen on motorcycles surrounded his home and ordered his wife, children and others to lie face down before taking them at gunpoint.
Agelzua’s post reads in part: “There are confirmed reports that some gunmen stormed the residence of Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Matthew Abu, in Zaki Bayam and kidnapped him about two hours ago.
According to eyewitnesses, the kidnappers entered the house on four motorcycles, ordered everyone in the house, including the chief’s wife and children, to lie down and then took him to an unknown destination on one of the bikes.
“Witnesses said that the kidnappers forced the chief to sit on the back of a motorcycle at gunpoint and the armed men pushed him between them.
The abduction happened shortly after 20:00 on Sunday, September 24, 2023. Police have been notified about the case.
Recall that the abducted chief was sworn in as a member of the Benue State Executive Council on August 29, 2023, and hails from Ukumu LGA.
Ukum belongs to the Sankera axis of the state which includes Ukum, Rogo and Katsina-Ara local governments. That part of the state, despite the presence of security personnel, has been the centre of attacks, killings and kidnappings by unknown armed groups whose activities are gradually gaining firmer roots in their axis.
Attempts to get a reaction from Police Public Relations Officer Superintendent Catherine Annen were unsuccessful.
