Gunmen abduct immigration officer in Benue, demand N20m ransom
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Simon Agbo, from his residence in Makurdi, Benue State. According to a family member, the incident occurred around 7:15 p.m. on Sunday while Agbo was outside his home with two neighbours. The assailants, who stormed the area opposite NKST Church […]
A Nigerian Police Officer
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Simon Agbo, from his residence in Makurdi, Benue State.
According to a family member, the incident occurred around 7:15 p.m. on Sunday while Agbo was outside his home with two neighbours. The assailants, who stormed the area opposite NKST Church Kuan behind Modern Market, fired several shots into the air to scare away residents before seizing the officer at gunpoint.
Agbo, recently redeployed to the Benue State Command from Kwara State in February, was taken to an unknown location.
Community youths and local vigilantes launched an overnight search, but the kidnappers escaped.
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Agbo’s younger brother said one of the neighbours had persistently urged the officer to return home that evening, raising suspicions. “He kept calling, insisting my brother come home or share his location. They were outside talking when the attackers struck, targeting only my brother,” he said. The neighbour has since been arrested and is in police custody pending further investigation.
The kidnappers have contacted the family, demanding a ransom of N20 million.
As of press time, officials from the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Benue State Police Command had not responded to inquiries.