Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Benue State Command identified as Simon Agbo.
Agbo was abducted at his residence located opposite the NKST Church, Kuan, behind the Modern Market area of Makurdi on Sunday night, May 11, 2025 while with his neigbours.
A close relative of the victim who confirmed the incident to journalists on Monday said the kidnappers stormed the compound and took him away at gunpoint to an unknown destination.
The relative said as soon as the gunmen stormed the man’s residence, they fired gunshots sporadically in the air to scare family members and neighbours of the victim before abducting him
“The kidnappers abducted the immigration officer immediately they forced their way into the compound where he was with his kinsmen after shooting sporadically to scare away the people,” he said.
It was gathered that the victim was serving in Kwara State before he was redeployed to the Benue State command in February.
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 could not be caught.
A younger brother of the victim, who simply identified himself as Mr Agbo told the punch that one of the victim’s neighbours had been apprehended in connection with the abduction.
“The neighbour was consistently calling on the victim to come home or he should direct him to his location as of that time, that they needed to see him that fateful Sunday night by all means,” Agbo said.
“After persistent calls, that my brother should come home or if possible, describe his whereabouts, then, my brother came home and went straight to the 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. Immediately, they went straight to the immigration officer, and 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 discussions with the family. They are demanding N20m ransom for his release as of today.”