Gunmen abduct Benue Speaker’s father

Mr. Jethro Ikyange, the octogenarian adopted father of the Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange, was abducted by gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday.



It was gathered from a close family source that Jethro was abducted from his ancestral home at Manor village, Ikyov council ward of Ushongo Local Government Area of the state. According to the source, “his abductors were four in number.

They came armed in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota car around 1a.m., when everyone had gone to bed in the community.

 “They forced open his bedroom door and whisked him away to an unknown destination. His abductors have not contacted members of his family, who are worried because the old man is on medication.

“Though the matter has been reported to the Police and local vigilante groups have been combing everywhere for the old man, nothing has been heard about his whereabouts. “His family is not suspecting anyone, but they are hopeful that baba will be returned to his family unhurt, because he does not have any issues with anyone.”

At press time, all attempts to reach the Speaker were unsuccessful. Contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, said: “The victim is actually not the father of the Speaker, but his uncle. Efforts are being made to ensure his rescue.”