The abductors of Rev. Gideon Haanongon, the caretaker chairman of the Ukum Local Government Area, were urged to free the governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, and his aides on Saturday.
In addition to promising that his administration was prepared to deal with kidnappers and other criminal elements in the area in order to be beneficial to society, Governor Alia made the announcement at Akume Atongo Stadium during the funeral of Chief Fezaanga Wombo, the Ter Katsina Ala and paramount monarch of Katsina Ala.
Haanongon and three other people were kidnapped by gunmen on Saturday.
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On his route to attend the burial of the state’s paramount monarch, the caretaker chairman was allegedly abducted in Anyagba, Tongov, in the Katsina Ala Local Government Area at around 6:30 in the morning.
Ior Silas Yuhwam, the chairman’s personal secretary, his chauffeur, and a police orderly were among the others taken hostage.
Nyiyongo Ezra, a state House of Assembly member for the Ukum seat, stated he had heard of the purported kidnapping of the interim chairman but was still seeking confirmation.
But according to a statement from Bridget Ikyado, one of the governor’s aides, “He has been urging members of the House of Representatives, serving and former senators, and other prominent sons in Sankera to call an emergency meeting tomorrow, Sunday, January 12, to propose long-term solutions to the insecurity situation in the area and forward the same to him for immediate implementation.”
He directed the abductors of the caretaker committee chairman of the Ukum Local Government Council, Rev Gideon Haanongon, and three others to release them with immediate effect, pointing out that the government was ready to engage them to be useful in the society if they refrain from criminal activities.”
The state police command’s spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, said she had yet to be briefed.