A major oil marketer in Gboko local government area of Benue State, Mr. Matthew Agbason was yesterday kidnapped by unknown persons.
Nigerian Pilot Saturday gathered that Mr. Agbason, who is the Chairman of Independent Oil Marketers in Gboko, was abducted in his Highlander Jeep near his residence in Mkar, near Gboko.
It was gathered that the abductors later abandoned the jeep, which was recovered somewhere in town.
The kidnappers are said to be demanding for the sum of N15 million as ransom from the family of the victim.
The incident resulted to protest by oil marketers leading to fuel scarcity in the town. Motorists have since resorted to patronising black marketers, who have seized the opportunity to increase a litre of fuel from N150 to N300.
There are indications that oil marketers in Makurdi held series of meetings and are likely to join the protest over the kidnap of their chieftain.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations’ Officer, SP Daniel Ezeala confirmed the incident, explaining that the police has recovered the Highlander jeep of the marketer in which he was abducted.