Gunmen abduct Alia’s aide amid rising insecurity in Benue

Another top government official in Benue State has fallen victim to the worsening insecurity, as gunmen on Tuesday night abducted the Principal Special Assistant to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Youth and Media Mobilisation, Mr. Atu Terver, popularly known as Krayzeetee.

The incident, which threw Makurdi into shock, was made public after Terver’s wife raised the alarm in a social media post. She disclosed that she had received a distress call from her husband, who in a trembling voice told her: “I have been abducted, call mummy.” His phone line went dead immediately afterwards.

The abduction has heightened concerns over the government’s ability to secure its own officials, let alone the ordinary citizens who have continued to suffer from kidnappings and violent attacks across the state.

Terver, known for his outspoken role in the Alia administration, had recently sacked one of his aides for taking part in a protest against killings in Benue. His kidnap has raised fresh questions about whether government critics and enforcers alike are safe in the volatile state.

As at press time, security agencies had yet to confirm the incident or provide any concrete plan for his rescue.