Gunmen who kidnapped Benue State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mathew Abo, are demanding a ransom of N60 million.
A family source who did not want to be named said that the abductors made the demand on Friday in a phone call to a member of the family.
According to the source, the kidnappers have resorted to torturing the commissioner to press home their demands.
The source said on Friday, the abductors called and placed their phone on speaker so that their beating of the commissioner and his cries for help could be heard.
Recall that last Sunday in Zaki Biam, headquarters of the Ukum Local Government Area of the state, some suspected kidnappers came on four motorcycles and abducted Abo in his house.
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According to an eyewitness account, the gunmen took the commissioner to an unknown destination on one of the motorcycles.
The witness said the abductors compelled the commissioner at gunpoint to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles while a gunman sandwiched him.
The demand by the abductors is coming barely five days after the commissioner was abducted.
(Editor: Amaechi Anakwue)