From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, on Tuesday night, abducted a medical doctor, Alex Igyemwase, and his son in Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Meanwhile, the victim’s elder brother has appealed to the government and the security agencies to come to their aid towards releasing his brother from captivity even as the family was yet to be contacted by his abductors.
A source, who refused to be named, said the incident happened at about 8pm on Tuesday. He said the doctor and his son were abducted at his residence, opposite NKST Secondary School in Zaki Biam, and the son was later released unhurt.
The doctor, it was gathered, is the Medical Director of Hope and Maternity Hospital in Zaki Biam. As at the time of filing this report, his whereabouts was yet to be known. The Divisional Police Office in Ukum Local Government Area confirmed that the matter had been reported to the police station.
Speaking to newsmen on phone yesterday, the victim’s brother, Mr Peter Igyemwase, confirmed the incident.
“Yes, my brother was kidnapped around 8pm, in his house, opposite NKST school in Zaki Biam. About four of them came. One was standing on the road, and three came inside. He was picked up with his son, and they later released the son in less than 30 mins. They have not called and we have been calling his number, but it’s not going through. We have reported this to the police this morning,” he said.
Speaking further, Igyemwase, who said he had reported the incident to his kinsmen in the village, appealed to the government and the security agencies to find and release his brother from captivity.
“They should please come to our aid, if not, we are suffering in Zaki Biam. In less than one month now, three cases of kidnapping have been recorded in Zaki Biam,” he said.
When contacted, Commander, Operation ZENDA, Justin Gberindyer, said there was information that some people wanted to kidnap two people in the town, but they did not come.
Gberindyer, who said he was not aware of the kidnap of the medical doctor, stated that the earlier information he had was a plan to kidnap two people in the town.
He said: “As I speak to you now, we are in the hot spot in Zaki Biam. When we heard of the information, we spread it around, but they didn’t come. It is unfortunate that the locals in the area always give information to the criminals about the presence of security men.”