Armed men suspected to be kidnappers have seized Dr. Muhammed Egye Osolafia, Senior Special Assistant on Humanitarian Services to Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.
The incident happened on Saturday night at Tudun Amba in Lafia, when the assailants, who shot sporadically into the air, took him away as he was about to enter his residence.
The Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Affairs, Mr. Peter Ahemba, confirmed the development to reporters in Lafia yesterday, describing it as “sad and unfortunate.”
Cases of kidnapping have continued to rise in Lafia and other parts of Nasarawa despite police operations and arrests of suspects in recent months.
Governor Sule had recently cautioned top government officials against using their influence to secure the release of suspected kidnappers from security custody.
Security experts linked the growing incidents of abduction to the influx of displaced persons from bandit-hit states into Nasarawa and the ongoing military offensive in neighbouring Benue State, which has forced some criminals to relocate.
The worsening insecurity has affected economic activities, with residents of several communities shutting down businesses early and staying indoors from as early as 8 p.m. for fear of abduction.