A former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Professor Onje Gye-Wado, has been kidnapped by gunmen who allegedly invaded his community, Gwagi, in the Wamba Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Friday.
A family source who confirmed the incident said the kidnappers gained entrance through the fence, broke into the house through his wife’s window and whisked him away to an unknown destination.
“His wife came in for Easter celebration and they broke into the house through her widow and took him away to an unknown destination. We are hoping that the security agencies will make efforts towards rescuing him unhurt,” the source said.
Professor Onje Gye-Wado, who served as Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State between 1999 and 2003, had escaped being kidnapped on several occasions before the sad incident occurred today.
Confirming the kidnap of the former deputy governor in a statement made available to newsmen in Lafia on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ramhan Nansel, said the police command was making efforts to rescue him unhurt.
He said, “Information received by the command indicated that on 7/4/2023 around 12:30 am, unknown gunmen invaded Gwagi village in Wamba LGA, broke into the residence of one Prof. Onje Gye-wado and abducted him to an unknown destination.
“Upon receipt of the information, Police operatives attached to Wamba Division swiftly moved to the scene, but the hoodlums had fled with the victim before their arrival.
“The Commissioner of Police, Maiyaki Baba, further mobilised and deployed reinforcement comprising Police tactical teams, military, vigilante, and local hunters to complement the ongoing search to rescue the hostage, hale and hearty and arrest the perpetrators of the act.”
The police spokesperson further appealed to members of the public to assist the command with useful information that could help in the quick rescue of the former deputy governor.
