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Monday, December 5, 2022

Gunmen kidnap Benue commissioner, in-law, others

Gunmen have kidnapped Ekpe Ogbu, the Benue commissioner for housing and urban development in Benue.

• December 5, 2022
Ekpe Ogbu
Ekpe Ogbu[Photo Credit: The Sun Nigeria]

Gunmen have kidnapped Ekpe Ogbu, the Benue commissioner for housing and urban development in Benue.

Mr Ogbu was kidnapped on Sunday evening alongside another politician Agbo Ode, one of his in-laws and driver. 

They were kidnapped at the notorious Adankari Junction while on transit from Otukpo road to Utonkon in the Ado local council area of Benue. 

The official Hilux van the commissioner and the other victims were travelling in had been recovered at the scene by the police. 

Mr Ogbu was said to have been kidnapped after he attended a Sunday service at St Augustine Catholic Church in Otukpo, where he joined Abba Moro, the senator representing Benue South senatorial district, to dedicate his newly inaugurated campaign council. 

Paul Hemba, the special adviser on security matters to Mr Ortom, confirmed the abduction to reporters in Benue. 

Mr Hemba said a manhunt had been launched to rescue the commissioner and the other victims and arrest the abductors.

Police spokeswoman DSP Catherine Anene did not immediately respond to Peoples Gazette’s request Monday morning seeking comments on the abduction. 

In July, a reverend father and a professor at the Benue State University were kidnapped separately at the same junction. 

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