Rev. Gideon Haanongon, the Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area, Benue State, who was kidnapped alongside his personal aides has been freed after spending about two weeks in captivity.
Haanongon, along with his Personal Assistant, driver, and police orderly, was abducted on Saturday, January 13, 2024, by unknown armed men at Anyagba, Tongov, along the Katsina-Ala-Zaki Biam road in Katsina-Ala LGA.
It was gathered that the rescue operation was executed on Wednesday around 6 pm by the troops of the 72 Special Forces Battalion under the 401 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi.
Acting on a distress call, the troops destroyed three camps of the kidnappers in the process.
A military source, speaking under anonymity stated that, “when we recovered him, we brought him down to our barracks in Makurdi.
“We administered first aid to him and also gave him food to eat. He is in good condition. We are determined to secure the State as we have our men in the 23 LGAs.”
Narrating his harrowing ordeal, the rescued Chairman said that he was on his way to attend the burial of the late Ter Katsina-Ala, Chief Fezaanga Wombo.
He stated that around Anyagba, he ran into an ambush by some strange boys who were shooting sporadically and even killed someone.
“At a point, they told me that these soldiers were disturbing them because of me and that the Governor had appealed to them to release me, and he will forgive them.
“So, at about 8 pm on Wednesday, we crossed a stream and trekked a very long distance almost like from Makurdi to Abinsi, and they removed the blindfold and asked me to take a path that leads to Zaki-Biam,” he said.
The Council Chairman expressed gratitude for the military’s persistent efforts and acknowledged the role played by the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security, Lt. Col. Alexander Ashungu (rtd).
In response, the Security Adviser commended the military for their determination and successful efforts in ensuring the safe release of the council chairman.
