Crime

See the amount Kidnappers demand to free Benue LG chair, three others

Published by Fakinlede Tope John on January 17th, 2024.

See the amount Kidnappers demand to free Benue LG chair, three others

BENUE State Police PRO, Catherine Anene

The abductors of the caretaker chairman of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, Rev. Gideon Haanongon, have opened contact with his relatives and demanded the sum of N50m as ransom.

The chairman was in the early hours of Saturday abducted alongside his personal assistant, police orderly and driver around Anyagba, Tongov Katsina-Ala LGA on his way to attend the funeral of Ter Katsina-Ala, Chief Benjamin Fezaanga Wombo.

A source close to the family who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent on the phone on Tuesday that the abductors demanded N50m.

The kidnappers called on Monday and asked one of the relatives of the chairman that they should be ready to pay N50m if they still want to see their breadwinner,” the family source said.

The source could not establish if the N50m was the ransom for the four people or the chairman alone.

When contacted, the state Commissioner for Information, Matthew Abo, in a telephone chat with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday confirmed that the kidnappers had opened contact but declined to say the amount being demanded was for the ransom.

Abo who also tasted the bitter pill of kidnappers last September said, “I heard that the kidnappers are demanding certain amount of money though I cannot authenticate the veracity of the rumour.

“I cannot state categorically but the state government has mobilised security operatives who are working hard to rescue the chairman”.

Governor Hyacinth Alia while speaking at the funeral of Ter Katsina-Ala last Saturday had pleaded with the kidnappers to release the LG chairman and three other victims, promising that his government was ready to assist them to be useful to society.

When contacted, the state command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, said she had no information about the abduction of the chairman and three others.