By Ken Afor
Barely ten days after his abduction, Benue State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mr. Matthew Abo, has been freed.
This was disclosed in a statement by Tersoo Kula, the chief press secretary to the state governor on Thursday.
Kula confirmed that Abo has since returned to his family at Sankera Ukum Local Government Area where he was kidnapped.
Abo’s release was possible following an order by the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, instructing security officers to apply intense pressure to the kidnappers in order to secure the commissioner’s release.
There were claims that the commissioner may have been released after a ransom was paid but CPS said that no payment was made in exchange for his release.
The statement did note that the former chairman of the Ukum LGA, Mr.dot Washima Erukaa, and his cousin, who it was learned went to negotiate with the kidnappers in a covert manner and was also kidnapped, are still in the criminal’s custody.
The governor has issued a stern warning to criminals, stating that criminal activity will never be tolerated.
The governor praised the security officers for their accomplishment and gave them instructions to continue working to release the other prisoners.
He gave the security guards orders to deal with criminals harshly and make sure they are unable to operate within the state.
It would be recalled that on September 24, 2023, around 8:00 pm, gunmen abducted Abo from his Sankara home.
The abduction of Abo will be one of many incidents in Benue State, which has grown to be a haven for criminal activity overall and kidnapping in particular.
