An officer of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), identified as Simon Agbo, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. The incident occurred on Sunday evening around 7:05 pm while the victim was outside his residence with two neighbors.

According to family sources, the armed men stormed the area opposite NKST Church, Kuan, behind Modern Market, firing several shots into the air to disperse residents before abducting the officer at gunpoint.

Agbo, who was recently redeployed to the Benue State Command from Kwara State in February this year, was whisked away to an unknown location by his captors. Despite immediate search efforts by vigilante groups and local youths, the kidnappers managed to escape with their victim.

In a concerning development, the victim's younger brother revealed suspicious circumstances surrounding the abduction. He stated that one of the neighbors had persistently urged the officer to return home that evening.

"He kept calling, insisting my brother come home or share his location. They were outside talking when the attackers struck, targeting only my brother," he said.

The neighbor in question has since been arrested and is currently in police custody as investigations continue.

The kidnappers have established contact with Agbo's family and are demanding a ransom of N20 million for his release.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain official confirmation from the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, CSP Catherine Anene, and officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service have been unsuccessful.

This kidnapping adds to the growing security concerns in Benue State, which has faced various forms of insecurity in recent times.