Gunmen have abducted three staff members including the acting Rector of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Dr Emmanuel Barki.

According to a report, the acting Rector with two other management staff of the institution and their driver were kidnapped on their way to Ugbokolo after an official assignment in Makurdi, the state capital on Thursday.

It was gathered that the abductors whisked them away along Otukpo/Otukpa road and abandoned the official vehicle in which they were travelling.

Though one of the victims was later released due to ill health, a source close to the acting rector’s family, who did not want to be mentioned, on Friday said the kidnappers had contacted the family and demanded N70m ransom.

During his visit to the acting rector’s family yesterday, the immediate past Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria in the state, Rev. Dr. Augustine Akpen Leva, prayed for the immediate release of the victims.

The former CAN chairman called on the state government to improve on the security situation of the state so that its residents can heave a sigh of relief.

Confirming the abduction, the spokesperson for the state police command, Catherine Anene, said investigations had commenced on it.