In a chilling escalation of Benue State’s deepening insecurity crisis, heavily armed gunmen have abducted a senior officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Simon Agbo, from his residence in Makurdi, the state capital. The brazen attack occurred around 7:15 p.m. on Sunday and has left residents in shock and fear.
Eyewitnesses and family sources told journalists on Monday that the kidnappers stormed the area in a commando-style operation, firing a volley of gunshots into the air to instill panic. Amid the chaos, the gunmen singled out Officer Agbo, who was relaxing with neighbours at the time, and whisked him away at gunpoint to an unknown destination.
The abduction took place near NKST Church, Kuan, behind the Modern Market — a busy area that has now been thrown into tension and disbelief.
According to sources close to the family, the attackers have since established contact and are demanding a staggering N20 million ransom for the officer’s release. The Agbo family has been plunged into turmoil as negotiations for his freedom begin under intense emotional strain.
“My brother was lured out that night by a neighbour who kept insisting he come over. That neighbour’s insistence raised suspicions. Immediately after my brother got to his compound, the gunmen struck,” said Agbo’s younger brother, who spoke under anonymity for safety reasons.
The family has raised alarm over the suspicious role of the said neighbour, whose actions before and during the incident appear questionable. Consequently, the suspect has been arrested and is currently in police custody as investigations intensify.
Community members and local vigilante groups launched an overnight manhunt in an attempt to rescue the officer, but their efforts have so far proven futile.
This incident adds to a string of violent crimes that have plagued Benue State in recent months, including killings, kidnappings, and wanton destruction of property. Residents say the government’s repeated assurances to curb the wave of insecurity have largely remained unfulfilled.
“It’s like we are living in a war zone. Every week, someone is killed or abducted. We are tired of promises; we need action,” a local resident lamented.
The abduction of Officer Simon Agbo has once again laid bare the failure of federal and state security architecture to protect citizens, even those in uniform. Calls are now mounting for security agencies to act swiftly, rescue the victim unharmed, and bring the perpetrators — and any collaborators — to justice.
As the days pass, tension continues to rise, and the people of Makurdi wait anxiously, hoping the officer’s ordeal ends without tragedy.
PIONEER NEWS 