The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of 14 passengers travelling from the Igede axis of Oju and Obi Local Government Areas of the state, following an attack along the Okpokwu axis on Monday evening.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, who confirmed the incident, said investigations were ongoing and assured that security operatives were on top of the situation.
“Concerning the abduction of passengers on the Okpokwu road, it is true that it happened. Investigation into the incident is ongoing, and we are on top of the situation,” Edet stated.
The passengers were reportedly en route to the South-West when their vehicle was intercepted around 7pm along the Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga road in Okpokwu. During the attack, gunmen allegedly opened fire, killing two passengers on the spot.
A local source told our correspondent that the travellers had departed Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA earlier in the evening before they were ambushed.
“They were stopped by kidnappers who took about 15 passengers into the bush. One person was shot dead when the driver initially refused to stop,” the source said.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Mr Jackson Ominyi, disclosed that he was informed that two persons lost their lives in the incident.
“My security officer called me a few hours ago to inform me that some of our people were abducted around the Okpokwu axis,” Ominyi said.
He commended the Chairman of Okpokwu LGA for facilitating the rescue of two of the abducted passengers and expressed optimism that the remaining 12 victims would be freed soon.
“I commend the Chairman of Okpokwu LGA for ensuring the rescue of two persons so far and for his assurance that all the remaining 12 abductees will be rescued,” he added.
The attack occurred less than 48 hours after nine worshippers were abducted during a vigil at St John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area, further heightening concerns over the worsening security situation in Benue State.
