Pray for our Rector Says students as Gunmen Kidnap Benue Polytechnic Rector, Others, Demand N70million Ransom

Gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, have abducted three staff members including the acting Rector of the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Dr. Emmanuel Barki.

According to a report, Barki, two other management staff of the institution and their driver were kidnapped on their way to Ugbokolo after an official assignment in Makurdi, the state capital, on Thursday.

It was gathered that the abductors kidnapped them 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 did not want to be mentioned as he was unauthorised to speak on the matter, told PUNCH that the kidnappers made contact with the family and demanded a N70million ransom.

The immediate past Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Benue State chapter, Augustine Leva visited the family of the acting rector on Friday as he prayed for the immediate release of the victims.

The former CAN chairman called on the state government to improve the security situation of the state so that residents of the state can heave a sigh of relief.

The spokesman for the state police command, Catherine Anene confirmed the abduction of the rector and two others and said that investigation was ongoing.

“Incident confirmed and investigation is ongoing,” Anene said in a terse statement.

Also confirming the kidnap, the Security Adviser to the state governor, Joseph Har said he was not aware of any ransom demand.

Har said, “The incident happened but I’m not aware they demanded ransom but security men are combining the bushes to rescue them.”

In late May 2024, two female students of the Joseph Sarwuan University of Agriculture, Makurdi, were kidnapped by gunmen, as confirmed by the state police command.