Panic As Gunmen Abduct Benue Commissioner

Unknown gunmen have kidnapped the Benue State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Ekpe Ogbu.

Naija News learned that the Commissioner was abducted at Adankari Junction along the Otukpo-Ado Road at about 4 pm on Sunday, December 4, 2022.

Ogbu, who was kidnapped alongside Honourable Agbo Ode, one of his in-laws, and the driver, were on their way from Otukpo to Utonkon in Ado Local Government Area of the state.

The commissioner was said to have attended a programme at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Otukpo, alongside Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South Senatorial district, and was going to his village in Ndekma in Utonkon before the unfortunate incident happened.

In a chat with Channels Television, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Samuel Ortom, Colonel Paul Hemba (retd), said Ogbu was kidnapped and whisked away to an unknown place.

He said the Police in Otukpo have recovered the Hilux van the victim was traveling in, adding that efforts to rescue the Commissioner have started.

Hemba, however, revealed that no contact has been established with the kidnappers.

Terrorists Storm Katsina Mosque, Abduct 13 Worshippers

No fewer than thirteen people were reportedly kidnapped when gunmen suspected to be terrorists invaded a mosque in Katsina State during the weekend.

Reports obtained by Naija News confirmed that the assailants, in large numbers, stormed Maigamji, a community in the Funtua Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday night and abducted the worshippers in a mosque.

According to the State Police Command spokesperson, Gambo Isah, the terrorists stormed the area shooting sporadically at the worshippers who were forced to flee for safety.

The people were observing the last prayer of the day when the terrorists invaded the mosque.

An Imam and other worshippers reportedly sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.

Reports, however, said that the security operatives later rescued six among the 13 kidnapped persons.