Gunmen abduct 14 travellers in Benue

At least 14 travellers have been abducted by gunmen along the Utonkon–Okpoga Road in Benue State following an attack on a commercial bus conveying passengers from Oju and Obi Local Government Areas to the western part of the country.

According to reports, the abduction happened around 7pm on Monday, February 9, along the road linking Ado and Okpokwu Local Government Area.

An eyewitness, Comrade Jude Onwe, a youth leader in Utonkon community, said the incident occurred around 7pm when the bus, carrying 16 Igede-speaking passengers, was heading towards Okpoga in Okpokwu LGA.

Onwe noted that the passengers had departed Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA for various destinations in the western part of the country when they were intercepted by the gunmen after passing through the Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga axis in Ado LGA.

He said the attackers stopped the vehicle and forcefully took 15 passengers into the bush, adding that one person was shot dead when the driver initially refused to stop.

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“The gunmen collected the passengers’ phones to prevent them from contacting their relatives,” Onwe said, noting that the abandoned bus was later moved to the Utonkon Police Station.

Meanwhile, 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. The police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, while confirming the incident, said

“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”