Abductors of the caretaker chairman of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, Rev. Gideon Haanongon, have opened contact with relatives and demanded N50 million ransom.
The chairman was, in the early hours of Saturday, abducted alongside his personal assistant, police orderly and driver around Anyagba, Tongov Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on his way to attend the funeral of Ter Katsina-Ala, Chief Benjamin Wombo.
A source close to the family, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told newsmen on the telephone on Tuesday that the abductors demanded N50 million.
“The kidnappers called on Monday and asked one of the relatives of the chairman that they should be ready to pay N50 million if they still want to see their breadwinner,” the family source said.
The source could not establish if the N50 million was the ransom for the four people or the chairman alone.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Matthew Abo said on Tuesday that the kidnappers had opened contact but declined to disclose the amount being demanded.
Abo, who also had a bitter experience with kidnappers last September, said: “I heard that the kidnappers are demanding certain amount of money, though I cannot authenticate the veracity of the rumour.
“I cannot state categorically but the state government has mobilised security operatives who are working hard to rescue the chairman”.
At the funeral of Ter Katsina-Ala last on Saturday, Governor Hyacinth Alia pleaded with the kidnappers to release the chairman and three other victims, promising that his government is ready to assist them to be useful to the society.
The state Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene said she had no information about the abduction of the chairman and three others.
