The Benue State Police Command has clarified that Dr Jonah Ogbaji, Chief Medical Director of Multicare Hospital in Makurdi, was arrested by security operatives and was not abducted, contrary to reports that circulated on social media. The command said Ogbaji was taken away from his hospital along Ankpa Road, Makurdi, on Wednesday night. 

According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, Ogbaji was arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad attached to the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja. He said the arrest was connected to an ongoing investigation, although the specific circumstances surrounding the case were not disclosed to the Benue State Command.

The incident had initially generated concern after reports emerged that the medical doctor had allegedly been abducted while attending to patients at his hospital. His daughter, who identified herself as Patience, reportedly told journalists that her father had been taken away and appealed for his safe return. She also said he had previously served twice as an ex-officio member of the PDP in the North-Central zone.

The police subsequently described the abduction reports as a “false alarm” and advised residents to disregard claims that Ogbaji had been kidnapped. The command said further details about the investigation would depend on the authorities handling the case.