Again, Gunmen abduct popular businessman in Benue

Suspected gunmen on Saturday kidnapped a businessman identified as Oga John at Igumale, headquarters of Ado local government area of Benue State.

It was gathered that the victim (Oga John) was abducted around 7:20 pm at his shop located at the camp junction in Igumale.

A resident of the community, Ochai Onazi, a legal practitioner informed our correspondent on phone, that the incident occurred when the kidnappers invaded the victim’s shop.

Onazi said that the victim owned the only big supermarket in Igumale and was at the shop transacting business when the kidnappers stormed the premises and shot sporadically to scare people.

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He lamented that Igumale, the headquarters of Ado local government area has become a den of kidnappers and other criminal activities, saying that there is no day that passes by without a case of heinous crime ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery in the area.

“You remember that it was just last few weeks ago that Mr Unogwu’, a retired DSS office from Igumale was abducted on his way back from Otukpo to Igumale.

“Before then, another popular businessman from the area was kidnapped and was only released after he paid millions of naira in ransom.

Onazi, however, appealed to the state governor, Samuel Ortom to send security personnel to the area, stating that Igumale was fast becoming a safe haven for criminals.

A family source told our correspondent that the abductors were yet to open discussion with the family or demand a ransom.

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Sewuese Catherine Anene, said she was yet to be informed about the incident and promised to call back as soon as she gets the details from the Divisional Police Officer in Ado.