By Amos Aar
BENUE State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mathew Abo, who was kidnapped from his residence in Zaki-Biam, Ukum LGA on September 24, 2023 has been freed by his abductors.
Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, who confirmed the unconditional release of the commissioner, said Abo was freed in the early of hours of Thursday and has since reunited with his family.
Kula also said “no ransom or any other monetary exchanges were involved in securing his release. Rather, his release was as a result of intense pressure on the criminals from the gallant security operatives who were acting on the directives of Gov. Hyacinth Alia, who had earlier given marching orders to them to ensure Mr. Abo’s release”.
ALSO READ: The Looming Explosion; By Jibrin Ibrahim
Kula however disclosed that the criminals were still holding captive the former chairman of Ukum LGA, Mr Washima Erukaa, and his cousin “who it was learnt discreetly went to negotiate with the kidnappers and was also kidnapped”.
It could be recalled that gunmen reportedly came on four motorcycles at about 8pm on September 24, 2023 and ordered everyone in the house, including the commissioner’s wife and children to lie face down and they took him away to an unknown destination on one of the motorcycles.
ALSO READ: Organised Labour’s Strategic Blunders and The Need For Urgent Remedy
Abo was sworn in as a member of the Benue State Executive Council on August 29th, 2023.
