Gunmen who kidnapped the 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 has been kept in captivity.
A family source who did not want to be named for security reasons said the abductors made the demand on Friday during a phone call, adding that the kidnappers had resorted to torturing the commissioner to press home their demand.
The source said, “Today they (abductors) called and placed their phone on loudspeaker so that their beating of the commissioner and his cries for help could be heard.”
Last week Sunday gunmen suspected to be kidnappers came on four motorcycles and ordered everyone in the commissioner’s house in Zaki Biam, in the Ukum Local Government Area of the state to lie face down.
According to an eyewitness account, the gunmen took the commissioner to an unknown destination on one of the motorcycles.
The Benue State Governor, 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.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene who responded to text messages sent to her cellphone said, ”Investigation is ongoing. Police don’t negotiate ransom so I’m not aware of that.”
