JUST IN: Benue State Information Commissioner Abducted by Unknown Gunmen

The Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism in Benue State, Matthew Abo, has been abducted by unidentified gunmen. The incident unfolded in Zaki-Biam, the administrative hub of Ukum Local Government Area in North-Central Nigeria.

Eyewitnesses, speaking to AIT.live via telephone, provided harrowing details of the abduction. The assailants, arriving on four motorcycles, descended upon Abo’s residence. They forcibly ordered everyone present, including the Commissioner’s wife and children, to lie face down. A chilling atmosphere of terror gripped the household as the abductors swiftly whisked Commissioner Abo away to an undisclosed location, utilizing one of the motorcycles.

Disturbingly, the abductors compelled Commissioner Abo, at gunpoint, to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles, with a menacing gunman close by. This brazen abduction unfolded after 8 pm on Sunday, September 24, sending shockwaves throughout the region.

Matthew Abo, who assumed office as a member of the Benue State Executive Council on August 29, 2023, hails from Ukum Local Government Area. Regrettably, this region has recently become a focal point for criminal activities, marked by a surge in killings and abductions.

The authorities have yet to identify the abductors, and the situation remains fluid as efforts are underway to secure the safe return of Commissioner Abo. The people of Benue State and concerned citizens await updates on this distressing incident, hoping for a swift and safe resolution.