Gunmen have kidnapped Professor Onje Gye-Wado, a former deputy governor of Nasarawa State, in his village in Rinza, near Wamba. Gye-Wado was the deputy governor to the current National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, between 1999 and 2003.
According to a family source, the former deputy governor was seized in his house a few minutes to midnight. The kidnappers gained access to the house by breaking the wife’s window. This is reportedly the fourth attempt to abduct the former deputy governor, with the third attempt resulting in the death of one of his cousins.
The abductors contacted a family member in the early hours of the morning but did not give any conditions for Gye-Wado’s release. The source stated that the wife had come to visit for Easter, and the kidnappers broke into the house through her window and took him away. They called around 4 am and threatened to kill him without mentioning any amount. The State Police Command has confirmed the abduction and assured the public of the safe return of Gye-Wado.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Maiyaki Baba, has deployed a tactical team to the area and intensified the search for the victim. The police have also called on anyone with useful information to come forward. The Commissioner of Police has mobilized and deployed reinforcements comprising Police tactical teams, the military, vigilantes, and local hunters to complement the ongoing search to rescue the hostage and arrest the perpetrators.
Gye-Wado’s kidnap is the latest in a series of security challenges facing Nigeria. Kidnapping for ransom has become rampant across the country, with citizens expressing concern over the seeming inability of security agencies to curb the menace. The government has promised to tackle the issue head-on and is taking steps to address it. However, there is still a long way to go in terms of securing the country and keeping citizens safe.
The abduction of Professor Onje Gye-Wado is a worrisome development that calls for swift action from the security agencies to secure his release and bring the perpetrators to justice. The government needs to intensify its efforts to tackle insecurity across the country and ensure the safety of all Nigerians