According to the state Police Command, Mr. Mathew Abo, the Benue state commissioner for information, culture, and tourism who was taken hostage on September 24 at his home in Zaki-Biam, has been freed.
SP Sewuese Anene, the state police public relations officer (PPRO), confirmed the news on Thursday in Makurdi through text message.
Sources did not specify, however, whether the N60 million or any other sum of money sought as ransom was paid in exchange for the commissioner’s release.
According to Anene, Abo was freed early on Thursday and has since been reunited with his family. Before being freed, Abo had been imprisoned for ten days.
Kidnappers want an N60 million ransom to free Benue Commissioner
Tahav Agerzua, a former media assistant to two former state governors, claimed that his release may be credited to stepped-up security measures, passionate discussions, as well as individual and collective prayers.
According to Agerzua, the Benue State Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism staff organised coordinated prayer sessions for the Commissioner’s safe release.
The commissioner was taken away on one of the motorbikes to an unidentified location by gunmen who arrived on four motorcycles about 8 p.m. on September 24. They ordered everyone inside the home, including the commissioner’s wife and children, to lay face down.
