Gunmen have abducted three staff members, including the acting Rector of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Dr. Emmanuel Barki.
According to reports, Dr. Barki, along with two other management staff members and their driver, were kidnapped on their way to Ugbokolo after an official assignment in Makurdi, the state capital, on Thursday. The abduction occurred along the Otukpo/Otukpa Road. However, one of the victims was released due to ill health.
A source close to the rector’s family, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the kidnappers contacted the family and demanded a N70 million ransom.
The immediate past Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Benue State chapter, Augustine Leva, visited the family of the acting rector on Friday and prayed for the immediate release of the victims. He also called on the state government to improve the security situation in the state to ensure the safety of its residents.
The spokesman for the state police command, Catherine Anene, confirmed the abduction of the rector and two others, stating, “Incident confirmed and investigation is ongoing.”
Similarly, the Security Adviser to the state governor, Joseph Har, confirmed the incident but mentioned he was not aware of any ransom demand. Har added, “The incident happened, but I’m not aware they demanded ransom. Security men are combing the bushes to rescue them.”
This incident follows the late May 2024 kidnapping of two female students from Joseph Sarwuan University of Agriculture, Makurdi, as confirmed by the state police command.