Ekpe Ogbu, the Benue State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, has been kidnapped.
He was kidnapped at the notorious Adankari Junction along the Otukpo-Ado Road at about 4 pm on Sunday, December 4, 2022.
The adviser on security matters to governor Samuel Ortom, Colonel Paul Hemba (retd), confirmed the abduction to Channels Television via the phone on Sunday night.
According to him, the Hilux van the victim was traveling in has been recovered by the Police in Otukpo, and rescue efforts have begun but no contact has been established with the kidnappers.
The Adankari Junction has become the black spot for kidnap activities with at least three records of kidnappings reported there.
Previously, a Reverend Father, a Professor of the Benue State University, and a local politician from Otobi have been kidnapped at the junction on different dates.
The victims, upon their release, said the kidnappers were armed herdsmen terrorising local communities and commuters who plight the route.
Former Enugu SSG, Dan Shere, Kidnapped Along Enugu-Nike-Nsukka Road
Dan Shere, a former secretary to the Enugu State Government, has been abducted, according to security reports.
It was learnt that he is among several other commuters kidnapped along the Enugu-Ugwuogo Nike-Nsukka Road on Thursday, October 27, 2022
Shere, a medical doctor, served under the administration of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani.
A source told journalists that the Enugu politician was travelling to Nsukka for a meeting when the gunmen attacked him alongside other travellers.
One of the survivors, who shared a video of the attack, said the gunmen were about eight in number.
“They shot severally at our vehicle; one of us was hit by the bullets. But our driver managed to move on. We succeeded in taking the victim to the hospital,” he narrated while thanking God for saving him and four others from the same community.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the kidnappers, who are said to be Fulani herdsmen, have increased their ransom demand on those they earlier picked on Sunday, October 23, 2022.
“They earlier demanded the sum of N2 million on one of the victims but they have now increased it to N30m. They search the phones of the victims to know their status,” the source said.
Returning students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who were abducted on Sunday are also yet to be freed.
An enquiry sent to the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Enugu State Police Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe has not been returned as of the time of filing this.
Labour Party Candidate Kidnapped
Linus Abaa Okorie, a senatorial aspirant on the platform of the Labour Party, has reportedly been kidnapped by gunmen alleged to be members of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit.
Okorie, who is currently contesting for the Ebonyi South Senatorial seat, was last heard from on Sunday, October 16, 2022.
A statement issued by his aide, David Ogbonna read in part;
“Hon. Linus Abaa Okorie was kidnapped early this morning on his way to his house in Abakaliki by gunmen known to be men of Ebubeagu Security outfit allegedly sent by Onicha Local Government Chairman.”
“The available information confirms that he’d been severely tortured to a near-death situation, made naked, and pictures of him taken by his abductors.”
“His phones are currently with the team commander of his abductors. Professional tracking is done on his lines reviewed “Okoja Road, near Police Headquarters”, as his current location. The second line showed “Ebun-Nwana, Edda.”
The statement continued; “We call on the security agencies to swing into action and unravel this situation, get Hon. Linus out and alive from his abductors and bring the perpetrators of this evil to face the wrath of the law.”
“We, employ our supporters, CaringHeart members, and friends of Hon. Linus not to give into unlawful acts but allow the security men do their professional jobs.”
His abduction has also been confirmed by his wife, Lilian Abaa Okorie, who has also raised alarm that they are planning to kill her husband. She levelled accusations on the state governor, Dave Umahi, who is also contesting for Ebonyi South Senatorial seat on the Platform of the All progressives Congress, APC.
Source: ChannelsTV
