Gunmen hijack Benue Links bus, kidnap passengers in Owukpa

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen hijacked a Benue Links vehicle and abducted several female passengers along the Owukpa–Orokam road in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State. 

The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Saturadsy, May 31, near the Eyiupi community as the victims were traveling from Orba market in Enugu to Owukpa. 

The attackers reportedly ambushed the vehicle and took away the female passengers, including children and adults. 

One of the victims, who sustained severe gunshot wounds during the attack, was left behind due to excessive bleeding that could have compromised the abductors’ location. 

She is currently receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of St. Mary’s Hospital in Okpoga. 

Leader of the Owukpa vigilante group, Amos Agada, who confirmed the incident, said as of Sunday morning, June 1, the kidnappers had not contacted any of the victims’ families. 

He added that local security operatives were already making efforts to rescue the abducted women. 

Also, a community leader, Hon Adikwu Daniel, who raised the alarm in a statement, urged the Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Council and security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the victims and install a sustainable security presence along the dangerous route. 

“The area has long been a danger zone, and no serious security network is in place to stop or reduce these attacks,” he warned.

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