The kidnapped pioneer Ukum Local Government Area chairman in 1981 RAYMOND ERUKAA has died in captivity after he was kidnapped from his home at Tse-Erukaa, in Zaki Biam, on the 23rd of September 2023.
Confirming the passing of the 81-year-old elder state man, the eldest surviving son of the deceased CHARLES ERUKAA, said the family got wind of his passing on the 27th of October, 2023.
Narrating the harrowing experience of his late father’s ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers and the subsequent hostage-taking of his cousin BEN JONES IORBEE ERUKAA who delivered the first one million naira ransom to the kidnappers, CHARLES lamented how his father was held till his death by the kidnappers after thirty-four days.
He noted said the kidnappers first demanded N12m in their first contact with the family and later reduced it to N10m but later came down to N5m and when his cousin IORBEE ERUKAA went with the first one million naira ransom, he was held hostage along with his father, the late RAYMOND WASHIMA ERUKAA until an additional one million naira was paid bringing the total sum to two million naira, with a promise to release both men, only for his cousin IORBEE to be released alone.
He said it wasn’t until last Saturday that they received words that his father had died in captivity.
CHARLES ERUKAA said the family is still investigating the general area with a view to recovering his body four days after news of his death was received, hoping to give their late father a befitting burial.
Meanwhile, the police in Benue State are yet to issue any statement confirming the death.
The Benue State Government which issued a statement when ERUKAA was kidnapped thirty-seven days ago has also not commented on the matter.
