Gunmen Abduct Immigration Officer in Benue, Demand N20 Million Ransom

An officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Simon Agbo, was abducted by gunmen from his residence in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Sunday evening. The assailants, believed to be kidnappers, stormed the area around 7:15pm, firing gunshots into the air to create panic before seizing the officer at gunpoint and whisking him away to an undisclosed location.

According to sources within the family, Agbo was with neighbours at the time of the attack, which occurred opposite NKST Church, Kuan, behind the Modern Market. He had been redeployed to the Benue Command in February from Kwara State.

A relative, who spoke to journalists, alleged that the officer’s abduction may have been orchestrated, pointing to the suspicious behaviour of a neighbour who had repeatedly insisted that Agbo return home that evening. The neighbour, reportedly in contact with Agbo before the incident, is currently in police custody as investigations continue.

“The gunmen arrived and went straight for him,” the victim’s younger brother told reporters. “They didn’t harm anyone else, just took him.”

The kidnappers have since contacted the family and are demanding a ransom of N20 million for Agbo’s release. Community members and local vigilantes mounted an overnight search in response to the abduction, but their efforts have yet to yield any leads.

Benue State has witnessed a troubling rise in insecurity, including repeated incidents of kidnapping, violence, and property destruction. Despite assurances from both federal and state authorities to address the crisis, the situation remains largely unresolved.