JUST-IN: Gunmen Kidnap Benue Commissioner, 3 Others

Suspected gunmen, on Sunday, kidnapped the Benue State’s Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Chief Ekpe Ogbu, and three others.

A statement signed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for the House of Assembly seat of Ado State constituency, Oriri Ocheje Richard, said that Ogbu was kidnapped alongside Hon. Agbo Ode, one of his in-laws and his driver.

According to the statement, they were kidnapped along David Mark’s farm, after Akpa Otobi while on their way from Otukpo to Utonkon in Ado local government area of Benue State.

“The Commissioner was said to have attended a Church programme, where Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South Senatorial district, dedicated his newly inaugurated Campaign Council to God at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Otukpo.

“After the service, he was going to his village in Ndekma, Utonkon District of Ado local government area, before meeting the unfortunate incident at about 4pm on Sunday, December 4, 2022.

“His official vehicle had since been recovered from the scene and taken to the Divisional Police office in Otukpo, while all their phones have been switched off,” he stated.

The younger brother of the Benue State Commissioner, Engr. Tony Ogbu, while confirming the incident on telephone, said that the Benue State Commissioner of Police was aware of the kidnap incident and they were working on the situation.

He said that since the kidnapping of his older brother, the kidnappers were yet to contact the family to ask for ransom, praying that God will protect his brother and return him safely to his family.