Benue Poly Rector kidnapped

..abductors demand N70m ransom

The acting rector of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Dr. Emmanuel Barki, has been reportedly kidnapped alongside some staff of the institution by unknown armed men along the Otukpo-Enugu highway.

The victims were said to be on their way back from Makurdi to Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area, LGA, of the state when they ran into an ambush by the armed men.

A source in the institution who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that the news of the abduction of the rector and his team, including the driver, got to the school yesterday.

He said, “We gathered that they were all on their way from Makurdi to Ugbokolo and were waylaid and got kidnapped along the Otukpo-Enugu highway.

“The kidnappers were said to have abandoned the school bus they were travelling in and whisked them into the bush.

“From what we heard today, the kidnappers have already contacted the family of the Rector and are demanding a ransom of N70 million.”

Contacted, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, Chief Joseph Har, who confirmed the development, said his men were already combing the forests to rescue the victims, noting that he was not aware of the demand for ransom by the abductors.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene, who also confirmed the incident, said the issue was already being investigated.