Dr Emmanuel Barki, the acting rector of Benue Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Benue State, as well as three staff members of the institution have been kidnapped by gunmen.

Barki, along with two other management staff of the institution and their driver, were reportedly kidnapped on their way to Ugbokolo after an official assignment in Makurdi, the state capital, on Thursday.

Daily Post reports that they were abducted by kidnappers along the Otukpo-Otukpa Road.

Sources said one of the victims was released due to ill health.

A source close to the rector’s family said the kidnappers had made contact with the family and demanded a N70 million ransom.

The spokesman for the state police command, Catherine Anene, confirmed the abduction of the rector and two others.

“Incident confirmed and investigation is ongoing,” Anene said in a short statement.

The incident was also confirmed by the security adviser to the state governor, Joseph Har, who said he was not aware of any ransom demand.

Har said: “The incident happened but I’m not aware they demanded ransom but security men are combining the bushes to rescue them.”