The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has called for immediate release of the abducted wife and maid of the former Chief of Staff to the former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom even as the party has condemned the armed attack on Terwase Orbunde and members of his family by suspected Fulani herdsmen on the early hours of Friday in Makurdi.
Orbunde served as the Chief of Staff to Governor Samuel Ortom from 2015 to 2022 and he is said to have been attacked by the assailants at the Welfare Quarters Extension area of Makurdi where he and his wife, Mrs. Abigail Orbunde, went to inspect work on their farm.
A statement by the Publicity Secretary of the party Bemgba Iotyom said the attackers were about five in number and armed with automatic weapons reportedly shot the former Chief of Staff in the arm before abducting Mrs. Orbunde and their maid, Ms. Patience Ogute, to an unknown destination.
Orbunde who was said to have been in a pool of blood, the statement continued was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment, and reports indicated that the abductors had spoken with him by phone demanding the sum of N100 million as ransom for Mrs. Orbunde and Ms. Ogute, which they threatened that if not paid, would result in the death of the victims.
According to the statement the party which condemned this dastardly act in the strongest possible terms lamented that it further highlighted the worsening state of insecurity in the state, as it is now tragically obvious that no one is safe anywhere in Benue, including in Makurdi the state capital city.
The party, the statement added appealed to Governor Hyacinth Alia to strengthen his security apparatus saying with strong political will, he would tackle the menace of insecurity in the state which is arrow-headed by Fulani herdsmen and bandits.
PDP prayed for the safe return of Mrs. Abigail Orbunde and the maid, Ms. Patience Ogute and urged Governor Alia to spare no effort towards securing their freedom in hale and sound condition.