Tension is mounting in Gaambe-Tiev, Logo Local Government area of Benue State, following the disappearance of a Peugeot commercial wagon vehicle with seven passengers in it.
The unfortunate incident, happened on Wednesday afternoon at Mbavuur, along Ugba- Anyiin road, Logo Local Government Area.
Among the passengers in the missing commercial vehicle was Chief Job Tiza, a former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Organising Secretary.
An eyewitness, Charles Gbor, who was a former chairman of Logo Local Government Council, said the commercial vehicle loaded from Ugba, headquarters of Logo Local Government Area , with seven passengers heading to Anyiin town.
“The journey was smooth until they got to Mbavuur where hoodlums waylaid the vehicle and the occupants,” he said.
Two other sources in the community gave different accounts of the incident. While one claimed that the vehicle was taken away with the passengers, including the ex-PDP organizing secretary, Chief Job Tiza, another said only Job Tiza, alongside one other passenger called Ormough, was whisked away by the hoodlums.
It was , however, learnt Ormough regained his freedom after spending three days with the hoodlums. “When we asked him where the other people were, he merely responded that ‘they are there’. He couldn’t specifically say where they were. It is possible that the abductors had threatened him not to reveal the location of the others,” a resident who preferred anonymity said.
The development has continued to elicit questions in the community as people have been wondering how a vehicle with seven passengers could disappear within a farming community without any trace.
One of the concerned residents, Tyover Unande, expressed deep shock about the incident.
“Do you mean all the passengers, including the driver, are gone in this village without a trace even the owner of the vehicles has not come out to raise the alarm over his missing vehicle?,” Tyover asked rhetorically.
Another indigene, Peter Nomor said: “It remains a mystery how hoodlums can successfully mount road block, hijack a vehicle with passengers and make away with them. Four days after, there is still no information from police and community leaders. The council chairman has kept sealed lips in spite of the fact that he hails from Gaambe tiev, the troubled area which has been under sustained herdsmen attack for 11 years.
Benue state Police command was yet to respond to our inquiry on the incident as at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, a similar incident was recorded in Ukum Local Government Area of the state where the chairman, Rev. Gideon Haanongu was abducted by gunmen yesterday.
The council boss was kidnapped alongside his Personal Assistant on Administration, Mr. Yuhwam Silas, his driver and orderly.
The unfortunate incident took place at about 6:30 am, along Zakibiam – Katsina Ala road at Tongov community in Katsina-Ala LGA, of Benue State.
A statement signed by the Secretary, Ukum Local Government Council, Hon Johnathan Modi, said the chairman was on his way to the burial of a second class monarch, Chief Fezanga Wombo, who was the father of the House of Representatives member, representing Logo,- Ukum Katsina Ala Federal Constituency, Hon. Solomon Wombo when the incident occured.
Hon. Modi called for calm saying measures were being taken to secure the release of the council chairman.
Police spokesperson, Kate Aneene, an SP, said she was yet to be briefed on the incident.
[TheNation]
