Gunmen kidnap Benue commissioner, in-law, others

Gunmen have kidnapped Ekpe Ogbu, the Benue commissioner for housing and urban development in Benue.
Mr Ogbu was kidnapped on Sunday evening alongside another politician Agbo Ode, one of his in-laws and driver.
They were kidnapped at the notorious Adankari Junction while on transit from Otukpo road to Utonkon in the Ado local council area of Benue.
The official Hilux van the commissioner and the other victims were travelling in had been recovered at the scene by the police.
Mr Ogbu was said to have been kidnapped after he attended a Sunday service at St Augustine Catholic Church in Otukpo, where he joined Abba Moro, the senator representing Benue South senatorial district, to dedicate his newly inaugurated campaign council.
Paul Hemba, the special adviser on security matters to Mr Ortom, confirmed the abduction to reporters in Benue.
Mr Hemba said a manhunt had been launched to rescue the commissioner and the other victims and arrest the abductors.
Police spokeswoman DSP Catherine Anene did not immediately respond to Peoples Gazette’s request Monday morning seeking comments on the abduction.
In July, a reverend father and a professor at the Benue State University were kidnapped separately at the same junction.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Africa
Ugandan doctors kneel, beg 78-year-old Museveni to seek seventh term
78-year-old Yoweri Museveni has been in power since 1986, following a civil war.

Heading 3
At Chatham House, Tinubu asks Gbaja, Sanwo-Olu, other surrogates to take questions on how to govern Nigeria
Mr Tinubu said he was delegating the questions to his surrogates as a demonstration of his belief in “teamship”.

Hot news Home top
2023: Tinubu says INEC not ready for electronic voting, transmission of results
The ruling party presidential candidate took questions before a diverse audience at Chatham House on Monday.

Africa
Eskom Bribery: Swiss firm ABB will pay R2.5 billion fine, says President Ramaphosa
Mr Ramaphosa insists that the settlement does not shield the business or its employees from facing trial.

Opinion
Ten tender questions for Bola Tinubu at Chatham House
The ruling party’s presidential candidate has repeatedly avoided taking direct questions on the campaign trail.

Faith
Religious Freedom: U.S. designates Russia, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, others ‘countries of particular concern’
The U.S. said these countries “harass, threaten, jail, and even kill individuals on account of their beliefs.”