Benue man regains freedom from kidnappers on his birthday

A middle-aged Benue man, identified as Prince Matthew Chile has regained his freedom after spending almost a week in the hands of his abductors, suspected to be armed Fulani herdsmen.

Prince Chile, a native of Sengev in Gwer-West LGA was kidnapped on Tuesday, 30th April, 2024, while travelling with 3 others along Makurdi-Naka road at about 6 pm.

The three others were also released.

Revealing the news about his freedom, one of his birthday mates, who also hails from the same axis in Gwer-West LGA, a former House of Reps candidate for Gwer/Gwer-West Federal Constituency under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections, Hon Victor Torsar Ormin, said there was no better time to release Prince Chile than on Sunday, his birthday.

“Prince Matthew Chile, your safe return on the day of our birth has put an icing on the cake for our celebration. Happy birthday and welcome back bro”, Victor posted on his Facebook wall at about 8 pm, on Sunday, 5th May, 2024.

As of the time of filing this report, it was yet to be ascertained whether or not a ransom was paid before their release but the abductors earlier demanded for N100m and later reduced it to N50m.

Makurdi-Naka has become a death trap and flashpoint for daily attacks, killings and kidnappings by suspected Fulani herdsmen since 2023.

Commercial vehicles, especially Benue Links have become their targets.

Many none-Benue people have also been kidnapped, with some killed too.

The Riverine communities in Gwer-West LGA have lately become the epicentres and hotbeds, where marauders usually use to attack neighbouring local government areas of Gwer-East, Apa, Agatu, Adoka axis of Otukpo LGA and parts of Makurdi.

Inhabitants of the communities have been displayed and the areas are currently being occupied by the attackers.