•••• Demand N10m Ransom
Attah Ede, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, have reportedly inercepted a Benue Links Bus and kidnapped fifteen passengers including a staff of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).
The Network gathered that the kidnappers are making a demand of N10 million for the release of the hostages.
It was gathered that the Benue Link Bus was intercepted on Sunday night around Ugbokolo in Opkopwu and Otukpa in Ogbadibo local government areas of Benue state while returning from Abia State.
Mr Thomas Tikyaa, an Accountant with NTA, was said to have been transferred from Makurdi Zonal Network Office to Abia state, and was coming to Benue to visit his family, when the incident occurred.
It was further gathered that four other passengers were able to escape, with eleven held hostage at the moment.
In a letter of complaint, written by the the Zonal Director, Pam Dung Nyam, to the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, he appealed for quick intervention to rescue the victims.
“I wish to formally report the kidnap of the above mentioned Staff of NTA, who was recently redeployed from NTA Network Centre, Makurdi, to NTA, Abia State.
“The ugly incident occurred around 10:00pm yesterday, 17 September 2023 between Ogbokolo and Otukpa on his way to Makurdi to visit his family while onboard Benue Links Bus.” He wrote.
Mr Nyam noted that the NTA family will be Happy if the victim is rescued and safely returned to his family.
When contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka confirmed the incident.
The CP who spoke through the command PPRO, SP Sewuese Anene, said investigation is ongoing to unravel those responsible for the crime.
