Gunmen who kidnapped Benue State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mathew Abo, have demanded a ransom of N60 million.
The demand by the abductors is coming barely five days after the commissioner was abducted.
A family source who did not want to be named said that the abductors made the demand on Friday in a phone call to a member of the family.
According to the source, the kidnappers have resorted to torturing the commissioner to press home their demands.
The source said, “Today (Friday) they (abductors) called and placed their phone on loud so that their beating of the commissioner and his cries for help could be heard.
Recall that last Sunday in Zaki Biam, headquarters of the Ukum Local Government Area of the state, some suspected kidnappers came on four motorcycles and abducted Abo in his house.
According to an eyewitness account, the gunmen took the commissioner to an unknown destination on one of the motorcycles.
The witness said the abductors compelled the commissioner at gunpoint to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles while a gunman sandwiched him.
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Dr. Hyacinth Alia had through his media aide, Kula Tersoo condemned the abduction and directed security operatives to ensure the safe release of the Commissioner.
Efforts to get the state command spokesperson, Catherine Anene to confirm the news of the ransom were not successful as her phone rang out.
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