From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Armed men suspected to be kidnappers, have abducted an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS) Benue State Command,identified as Simon Agbo, his pregnant wife and one other person at his residence in Makurdi, the state capital.
A close relation of the victim who disclosed this to our correspondent on phone on Monday in Makurdi, said the officer, his pregnant wife were kidnapped at their compound discussing with two of his direct neighbours on Sunday night May 11, 2025 at about 7:15pm.
He said the incidence happened opposite NKST church Kuan, behind modern market in Makurdi.
The kidnappers stormed the compound and took him away at gunpoint to unknown destination.
Our correspondent gathered that the kidnappers who were well armed first fired gunshots sporadically in the air to scare family members and neighbours of the victim before abducting him from his residence.
It was further gathered that the victim was serving in Kwara State before he was redeployed to Benue State command on February this year.
Upon hearing his abduction, youths in the community in collaboration with local vigilantes immediately launched a search throughout the night but the gunmen could not be caught.
Younger brother of the victim, who simply identified himself as Mr. Agbo told our correspondent that one of the victim’s neighbours have been apprehended in connection with kidnapping of the immigration officer.
According to him, the neighbour whose name he refused to mentioned was consistently calling on the victim to come home or he should direct him to his location as at that time, that they needed to see that fateful Sunday night by all means.
“It was after persistent calls, that my brother should come home or if possible, describe his whereabout, that my brother came home and went straight to his neighbour’s compound.
“While they were at the compound discussing, another of their neighbours came to join them and all of a sudden, the gunmen arrived the compound and immediately went straight to the immigration officer, picked only him at gunpoint, leaving the remaining two people behind.
“The neighbour’s action looks very suspicious and that is why we called for his arrest. He has been arrested and currently in police custody until our brother is released.
“As I speak with you, the kidnappers have opened discussion with the family. They are demanding N20 million ransom for his release as at today”, he said.
When contacted, the Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Sewuese Anene, confirmed the incidence.
“Yes such incidence happened in the area and we have launched investigation into the matter.
“Our men are working round to ensure that the abductors are
