Amina Audu, the recently freed chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Area in Benue State, revealed the distressing details of her abduction, stating that she and her driver were sustained on a diet of pawpaw and garri during their three-day captivity.

Audu, who had been under suspension since the arrival of Governor Hyacinth Alia, was abducted alongside her driver on the deteriorated Naka-Makurdi road. She and her counterparts from 22 other local government areas had faced suspension.

Speaking to journalists in Makurdi, the state capital, Audu recounted the challenges of being held by kidnappers. She expressed the difficulty of the situation, noting, “You know how harrowing it is to be with kidnappers; I cannot even say much now. They (kidnappers) don’t have food in the bush; they only gave us pawpaw and garri to drink.”

Audu emphasized that the exact ransom amount paid for their release had not been disclosed to her by those involved in the negotiation process.

Earlier confirmation of the abduction came from SP Catherine Anene, the Police Spokeswoman for the Benue Command, adding to the growing concern over the security situation in certain regions. The incident highlights the challenges faced by individuals, including public officials, navigating insecure routes.