Haanongon Gideon, the caretaker chairman of Benue State’s Ukum Local Government Area, and three other people were kidnapped by gunmen early on Saturday.
On the route to attend the funeral of Chief Fezaanga Wombo, the Ter Katsina-Ala, the supreme monarch of the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, the chairman was reportedly abducted at Anyagba, Tongov, in the state at around 6.30 am.
Mr. Ior Yuhwam, his personal assistant, his chauffeur, and a police officer were among those abducted with him.
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However, the caretaker chairman and three other people were really abducted, according to a news release issued by council secretary Jonathan Modi.
The Ukum Local Government Area Executive Council announced in part that Mr. Ior Yuhwam, the PA on administration, his driver, and a police officer had been abducted along with Council Chairman Rev. Haanongon Gideon.
“The ugly incident happened this morning around 6:30 am while traveling to attend the funeral of Chief Fezaanga Wombo, the Ter Katsina-Ala and supreme ruler of Katsina Ala LG in Benue State, along Anyagba, Tongov.”
The statement assured everyone in the local government that steps are being made to ensure the victims’ freedom and urged everyone to maintain composure and obey the law.
Matthew Abo, the state’s commissioner for information, culture, and tourism, also attested to the chairman’s kidnapping.
“It’s true he was abducted, but I’m at a funeral in Katsina-Ala right now, so I can’t say much,” he remarked.
In September 2023, gunmen also kidnapped the state’s Commissioner for Information, who was born in the same local government unit.
SP Catherine Anene, a spokesman for the state command, asserted that she had not yet received a briefing.