The chairman of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, Honourable Haanongon Gideon, was today, Saturday, January 13 kidnapped by gunmen.
The chairman was abducted alongside his personal assistant, Mr Ior Silas Yuhwam; his driver and police orderly.
The secretary of the local government, Jonathan Modi, in a statement, said that the chairman and his entourage were kidnapped along Anyagba, Tongov, in Katsina Ala Local Government Area, at about 6:30a.m while on their way to attend the burial of the paramount ruler of Katsina Ala LG, the Ter Katsina Ala, HRH Chief Fezaanga Wombo.
The deceased monarch was a father of House of Representatives member representing Sankera axis, Solomon Wombo.
“The council hereby, advises all her citizens to remain calm and be law-abiding, while measures are in place to ensure the chairman and others regain their freedom.”
When contacted, a member of the state assembly, representing Ukum constituency, Nyiyongo Ezra, said that he heard the report of the alleged kidnap of the caretaker chairman but had yet to get an official report.
The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo, who was contacted on phone, confirmed the abduction.
It will be recalled that Abo, who hails from the same local government area, was also abducted by gunmen in September 2023.
However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, a Superintendent of Police, said she had yet to be briefed when asked for confirmation of the abduction.
