The abducted Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism in Benue, Matthew Abo has been released.
Abo was abducted by gunmen who invaded his house in Zaki-Biam on Sunday, September 24th, 2023.
He was said to have been released early hours of Thursday and reunited with his family.
Source closed to the family did not state whether any ransom was paid.
Confirming the release on Thursday, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kula Tersoo said that the commissioner had since reunited with his family in Sankera.
“We can confirm that the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Matthew Abo, has regained freedom.
“He has since reunited with his family in Sankara, Ukum Local Government where he was abducted.”
The governor also said that no ransom was paid for the release of the abducted commissioner.
“No ransom or any other monetary exchanges were involved in securing his release. Rather, 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 Mr Abo’s release.
“However, the criminals are still in custody of the former Chairman Ukum LGA, Mr Washima Erukaa, and his cousin who it was learned discreetly went to negotiate with the kidnappers and was also kidnapped.
“His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, who has welcomed back the Commissioner, has warned criminals operating within the state to leave for good, insisting that they will not be tolerated in any form.
“The governor appreciates the security operatives for the feat, charging them to continue their actions in order to get the remaining captives released,” the statement further read.
. TheWitness
