Philip Shekwo, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Nasarawa state chapter, has been kidnapped by gunmen.
Shekwo was kidnapped late Saturday night by armed men who invaded his Lafia residence breaking through the fence. They were said to have exchanged gunfire with the security detail attached to the APC chairman before whisking him away.
Bola Longe, police commissioner in the state who confirmed the incident, said officers have swung into action, searching forests and flashpoints to ensure that Shekwo is rescued.
“We have covered everywhere, we sent our police to comb everywhere. We have done all the necessary things to ensure that he is rescued and by the grace of God he will be rescued,” Longe said.
Nasarawa has witnessed a spike in the kidnapping of prominent individuals in the state.
Jibrin Giza, permanent secretary at ministry of works in the state, was kidnapped in February. He was released after a ransom was paid.
Joseph Masin, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, was kidnapped by gunmen in May, and he regained freedom after three days.
Abdullahi Sule, governor of the state, signed into law the Nasarawa state Kidnapping Prohibition Law 2020 in February, prescribing the death penalty for anyone convicted of kidnapping.