Armed Kidnappers Seize Benue State Information Commissioner, Matthew Abo

Armed kidnappers have seized Matthew Abo, the Benue State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, marking a surge in criminal activities in the region.

Matthew Abo was abducted from his residence in the Zaki-Biam community of the Ukum Local Government Area, a region notorious for being a flashpoint of criminal activities, on Sunday night. 

Witnesses recounted that the kidnappers, arriving on four motorcycles, forced everyone in the commissioner’s residence, including his wife and children, to lie face down before taking him away to an undisclosed location.

An eyewitness said, “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.

How kidnappers nab Benue information commissioner

Kula Tersoo, the Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor said, “He was in his home with his family, children, and his people when the armed men came in. They forced him to a bike.” 

Tahav Agerzua, a former media aide to two ex-governors of the state, detailed that the abductors compelled the commissioner to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles, sandwiched by a gunman, at gunpoint. 

The police have been informed of the incident, but SP Catherine Anene, the spokeswoman of the Police Command in Benue, has yet to confirm the incident.

Also, Governor Hyacinth Alia has directed security operatives to ensure the safe release of the commissioner from the kidnappers’ den. 

What you need to know about Abo

Abo, who hails from the Ukum local government area, was sworn in as a member of the Benue State Executive Council on the 29th of August, 2023.

The incident occurred in Zaki-Biam, a rural town renowned for hosting the country’s largest yam market.

Newsmen gathered that last Friday, gunmen invaded the Tswarev/ Ukemberakya Council ward in the same local government area, killed a guard of the State Volunteer Community Guards and injured two others.