Kidnapped Benue Commissioner Released Without Ransom, Alia Reveal

Hyacinth Alia, the governor of Benue State, claimed that neither a ransom nor any other form of payment were used to secure the release of Mathew Abo, his commissioner for information, culture, and tourism.

This information was presented to the Makurdi pressmen in a statement released on Thursday and signed by his chief press secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula.

The governor claimed that no payments were made in exchange for the governor’s safe release, including a ransom.

“We can attest to Matthew Abo’s return to freedom as the Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism. Since being returned to his family, he was kidnapped and taken to Sankera, Ukum Local Government Area.

His release was the result of intense pressure being applied to the criminals by the valiant security personnel who were carrying out Gov. “Mr. Abo’s release was ordered by Hyacinth Alia, who had earlier given them orders,” he said.

The statement also revealed that the kidnappers were still holding Mr. Washima Erukaa, the former chairman of the Ukum Local Government Area, and his cousin, who had secretly gone to bargain with the kidnappers for Mr. Erukaa’s release but had instead been abducted.

The former chairman was abducted on a different day and at a different location.

Alia, who also welcomed the commissioner back, sternly warned any criminal activity in the state and vowed that it would not be tolerated in any way.

The commissioner was released safely, and the governor praised the security personnel for doing so and gave them the responsibility of securing the release of the other prisoners.

He accused the security personnel of treating criminals brutally and making sure they are unable to operate within the state.

Before being released, Mr. Abo, who had been taken hostage on September 24th, had been held captive for ten days.

Around 8:00 p.m., four motorcycles pulled up with gunmen ordered everyone in the house to lie face down, including the commissioner’s wife and children, and then took him away on one of the motorcycles to an unidentified location.

NAN.