By Kamsi Anayo
The Benue State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mathew Abo abducted in his residence in Zaki-Biam on Sept. 24, has regained freedom.
The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene, confirmed the development in Makurdi on Thursday.
Anene said that Abo was released in the early hours of Thursday and has been reunited with his family.
Abo spent 10 days in captivity before regaining his freedom.
Recall that gunmen came on four motorcycles at about 8 p.m, ordered everyone in the house, including the commissioner’s wife and children, to lie face down and took him away to an unknown destination on one of the motorcycles.
Meanwhile, Gov. Hyacinth Alia said no ransom or any monetary exchanges were involved in securing the release of the commissioner.
This was contained in a statement on Thursday signed by his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Tersoo Kula.
“We can confirm that the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo, has regained freedom. He has since reunited with his family in Sankera, Ukum Local Government Area where he was abducted.
“His release was as a result of intense pressure on the criminals from the gallant security operatives who were acting on the directives of Gov. Hyacinth Alia, who had earlier given marching orders to them to ensure Abo’s release,” he said.
The statement further disclosed that the kidnappers were still holding the former Chairman, Ukum LGA, Washima Erukaa and his cousin who discreetly went to negotiate with them for release of Erukaa but were also kidnapped.
The former chairman was kidnapped at a different location and date.
The governor, who welcomed back the commissioner, further warned criminals operating within the state to leave for good, insisting that they would not be tolerated in any form.
Alia commended the security operatives for ensuring the safe release of the commissioner and tasked them to ensure the safe release of the remaining captives.
He charged the security operatives to be ruthless on criminals and ensure that they have no room to operate in the state.
Abo spent 10 days in captivity before regaining his freedom.
The gunmen came on four motorcycles about 8:00 p.m., ordered everyone in the house, including the commissioner’s wife and children, to lie face down and took him away to an unknown destination on one of the motorcycles.