From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, have reportedly abducted an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Benue State Command, identified as Simon Agbo.
It was gathered that the victim was serving in Kwara State before he was redeployed to the Benue State command in February this year.
A close relation of the victim who disclosed this to newsmen on the phone on Monday in Makurdi said the officer was kidnapped at his residence in Makurdi, the state capital, on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
The relative said Agbo was discussing with two of his neighbours Sunday night at about 7:15 pm when the gunmen stormed the house and took him away.
He said the incident happened opposite NKST Church Kuan, behind Modern Market in Makurdi, after the kidnappers stormed the compound, kidnapped him at gunpoint and took him to an unknown destination.
The relative who didn’t want to be named for fear of attack said that when the gunmen came, they started firing gunshots indiscriminately to scare family members and neighbours of the victim before abducting him from his residence.
Upon hearing of his abduction, youths in the whole community, in collaboration with local vigilantes, immediately launched a search throughout the night, but the gunmen were far gone.
A younger brother of the victim, who identified himself as Agbo said one of the victim’s neighbours had been apprehended in connection with the kidnapping because of his role before the incident took place.
He narrated to newsmen that the neighbour was consistently calling on the victim to come home, or he should direct him to his location at the time they needed to see that fateful Sunday night.
“After persistent calls, that my brother should come home or if possible, describe his whereabouts. Then my brother came home and went straight to that his neighbour’s compound.
“While they were at the compound discussing, another of their neighbours came to join them, and all of a sudden, the gunmen arrived at the compound and immediately went straight to the immigration officer, picked only him at gunpoint, leaving the remaining two people behind.
“The neighbour’s action looks very suspicious, and that is why we called for his arrest. He has been arrested and is currently in police custody until our brother is released.
“As I speak with you, the kidnappers have opened discussion with the family. They are demanding N20 million ransom for his release as of today”, he said.
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Immigration Service NIS could not be reached for comment as at the time of filing this report.