- Commissioner appreciates Benue govt, people after release from kidnappers’ den
- LG boss, cousin still in captivity as gunmen abduct pharmacist
The Senate has summoned the security chiefs to a closed session, to address the spate of kidnapping in tertiary institutions across the country.
This followed a motion by Senator Abdulazeez Musa Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central) on the kidnap of five female students of Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katsina State, on Wednesday, October 4, 2003, and the rising cases of kidnapping for ransom in the North West geo-political zone.
The Senate urged the federal, state, and local governments to tackle the issue of poverty, which is purportedly the precursor to all social vices.
The October 4 attack happened 12 days after bandits, in their large numbers, forced their way into three hostels of the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, and abducted 24 students. Sixteen of the students were freed after three days by security agencies.
BENUE State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo, who was released by his abductors yesterday, expressed gratitude to the government and people of the state for their show of concern.
After regaining freedom, the commissioner issued a statement expressing gratitude to God, Governor Hyacinth Alia, his political colleagues, security agencies, the media and others for his freedom from 10 days of captivity.
He appreciated the efforts and prayers that culminated in his safe release and reunion with his family and society.
Abo, who expressed hope that his ordeal would lead to renewed efforts to tackle internal and external security challenges in the state, is determined to continue serving as a member of the State Executive Council (SEC).
Although the state government had announced through the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, that no ransom or other monetary exchange was involved in securing his release, a source disclosed to The Guardian that “something was given to the kidnappers, but not the N60 million they were demanding.”
The governor’s aide also confirmed that the former chairman of Ukum Local Council, Iorwashima Erukaa, who was kidnapped alongside the commissioner, is still with his abductors.
“The criminals are still in the custody of the former Chairman of Ukum Local Council, Mr. Erukaa, and his cousin, who, it was learned, discreetly went to negotiate with the kidnappers and was also kidnapped,” the CPS said.
MEANWHILE, gunmen have abducted the Secretary, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Plateau State Chapter, Kim Bot, in the Jos North Local Council.
It was learned that the pharmacist was driving home about 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, when the gunmen, who had mounted a roadblock in the Laminga area of the council, flagged him down.
When he stopped, the gunmen forced him out of his vehicle at gunpoint and whisked him away.
A member of PSN, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the kidnappers had yet to get in touch with the association or family of the victim.
Residents of Lamingo disclosed that the road leading to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) had turned into a den of kidnappers and other undesirable elements.
Spokesman of the Plateau Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident and said the command swung into action immediately to arrest the kidnappers and rescue the pharmacist.
The Guardian
