Abducted commissioner regains freedom – Police; No ransom paid for release – Governor

By Emmanuel Antswen

Makurdi, Oct. 5, 2023

The Police Command in Benue has confirmed the release of the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Mathew Abo, who was abducted from his residence in Zaki-Biam on Sept. 24.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, confirmed the development on Thursday to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi via a text message.

Anene said Abo was released in the early hours of Thursday and has been reunited with his family.

NAN recalls that gunmen came on four motorcycles at about 8 p.m, 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.

Meanwhile, Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has said no ransom or any monetary exchanges were involved in securing the release of Mr. Abo.

This was contained in a statement on Thursday signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Tersoo Kula and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi.

“We can confirm that the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo, has regained freedom. He has since reunited with his family in Sankera, Ukum Local Government Area where he was abducted.

“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,” he said.

The statement further disclosed that the kidnappers were still holding the former Chairman, Ukum LGA, Mr. Washima Erukaa and his cousin who discreetly went to negotiate with them for the release of Mr. Erukaa but was also kidnapped.

The former chairman was kidnapped at a different location and date.

Gov Alia, who welcomed back the commissioner, further warned criminals operating within the state to leave for good, insisting that they would not be tolerated in any form.

The governor commended the security operatives for ensuring the safe release of the commissioner and tasked them to ensure the safe release of the remaining captives.

He charged the security operatives to be ruthless on criminals and ensure that they have no room to operate in the state.

NAN reports that Mr. Abo, who was kidnapped on Sept. 24, spent 10 days in captivity before regaining his freedom.
Gunmen came on four motorcycles about 8:00 p.m., 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.