The decomposing body of kidnapped 74 years old retired School Principal, Mr. Simon Ankau has been discovered and exhumed from a shallow grave by operatives of Operation Zenda, a Joint Security Taskforce, around Gaya, a border town between Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that the deceased was the father of the Parish Priest of St. Peter’s Catholic Church Ayati, Ukum LGA, Rev. Fr. Jacob Ankau.
The septuagenarian was kidnapped on April 18, 2023, in Chito, Ukum LGA by armed men who held him, hostage, while negotiating a ransom with his family.
According to a police source, “While negotiating with the family of the deceased, the old man died in their custody. Even at that, they still collected the ransom from his family members.
“When his wife and son took the ransom to the kidnappers they also held them hostage. Luckily, Men of Operation Zenda in May searched and rescued the two of them.
“And the continuous search for the septuagenarian yesterday led the men of Operation Zenda to the shallow grave where he was buried in Gaya village, a border community between Ukum and Katsina-Ala LGA.
“The already decomposed body of Pa Ankau was exhumed by officers of Operation Zenda from the shallow grave he was buried by his captors, for proper burial by his family.”
Speaking shortly after the discovery, the Commander of Operation Zenda, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Justine Gberindyer reiterated the Benue State Government’s commitment to zero tolerance for any form of criminality.
CSP Gberindyer said, “There is a total onslaught on all forms of criminality in the state and there can never be room for any criminal or his activities in the state. Even those behind this dastardly act will certainly be arrested.”