An officer of the Nigerian Immigration Service, (NIS), identified as Simon Agbo has been abducted by suspected kidnappers in Makurdi, Benue State capital.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday around 7:5 pm while Agbo was outside his home with two neighbours.
The gunmen, who stormed the area opposite NKST Church Kuan behind Modern Market, fired several shots into the air to scare away residents before seizing the officer at gunpoint.
The victim was recently redeployed to the Benue State Command from Kwara State in February.
Vigilante groups and youths in the community have launched a massive search to secure his release but his abductors escaped.
Agbo’s younger brother said one of the neighbours had persistently urged the officer to return home that evening, raising suspicions.
“He kept calling, insisting my brother come home or share his location. They were outside talking when the attackers struck, targeting only my brother,” he said.
The neighbour has since been arrested and is in police custody pending further investigation.
His abductors have made contact with the family and are demanding a ransom of N20 million.
Efforts to confirm the incident from the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, CSP Catherine Anene and officials from the NIS were not successful as of the time of filing this report.