Unknown armed men yesterday attacked Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftains including state officials of the party on Zaki Biam- Katsina/Ala road and took one of them, Ben Kiregh hostage leaving other with serious gunshot wounds.
Vanguard gathered from an eyewitness that the victims were on their way from Zaki Biam to Katsina Ala town for a PDP zonal meeting called by Senator Gabriel Suswam to discuss the security situation in the area when they were ambushed on the way.
According to the witness, “they were travelling in the car of the State PDP Legal Adviser to Katsina/Ala town for a meeting called by former Governor Gabriel Suswam in Katsina/Ala to discussing the worsening security situation in the Benue North East senatorial district when it happened.
“It was when they got to Atom village that heavily armed men jumped out of the bush and opened fire on the vehicle conveying four of them, injuring the occupants who were forced to stop the car.
“The attackers ransacked the vehicle, took away cash, phones and other valuables from the occupants after which they took Hon. Kiregh hostage and drove away with him in the car to an unknown destination before help could get to them.
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“Though some of the victims are receiving treatment in hospitals in Makurdi and Katsina/Ala efforts are on to trace where they took Kiregh to,” he added.
When contacted, the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Bemgba Iortyom confirmed the development adding that the gang had reached the family of their victim and demand a ransom of N50million.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent, DSP, Catherine Anene said she was yet to establish contact with the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Katsina/Ala where the incident happened. Nigerian News
