Mr Mathew Abo, the Benue state
Commissioner for Information, Culture,
and Tourism, who was kidnapped ona
September 24 at his residence in Zaki-
Biam, has been released, according to the state Police Command.
The state Police Public Relations Officer
(PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, confirmed the news via text message on Thursday in Makurdi.
The sources however did not state whether the N60 million or any money demanded as ransom was paid for the commissioner freedom.
Anene stated that Abo was released early Thursday morning and has been reunited with his family. Abo had been held captive for ten days before being released.
A former media aide to two ex-Governors of the state, Tahav Agerzua, said his release could be attributed to intensified security operations, spirited negotiations, as well as prayers by individuals and groups.
According to reports, on September 24 at about 8 p.m, gunmen arrived on four
motorcycles, forced everyone in the home, including the commissioner’s wife and children, to lay face down, and whisked him away on one of the bikes to an unknown place.