Kidnappers demand N70m ransom after abducting Benue Poly Rector, others

Gunmen have taken three staff members of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, hostage, including the acting Rector, Dr. Emmanuel Barki.

According to reports, Dr. Barki, two management staff members, and their driver were kidnapped on Thursday while returning to Ugbokolo from Makurdi, where they had undertaken an official assignment.

The abduction is said to have occurred along the Otukpo/Otukpa Road, where the victims were intercepted by their captors.

However, one of the victims was released due to ill health.

A source close to the rector’s family who did not want to be mentioned as he was unauthorised to speak on the matter, said the kidnappers made contact with the family and demanded a N70 million ransom.

The immediate past Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Benue State chapter, Augustine Leva visited the family of the acting rector on Friday as he prayed for the immediate release of the victims.

The former CAN chairman called on the state government to improve the security situation of the state so that residents of the state can heave a sigh of relief.

The spokesman for the state police command, Catherine Anene confirmed the abduction of the rector and two others and said that investigation was ongoing.

“Incident confirmed and investigation is ongoing,” Anene said in a terse statement.

Joseph Har, Security Adviser to the governor, has verified the kidnapping, but stated that no ransom request has been made by the abductors.

Har said, “The incident happened but I’m not aware they demanded ransom but security men are combining the bushes to rescue them.”

Late May 2024 saw the kidnapping of two female students from Joseph Sarwuan University of Agriculture in Makurdi, with the state police command verifying the incident.