Gunmen Abduct Six Mourners, Abandon Corpse in Benue, Demand N15m Ransom

By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Gunmen have abducted six persons travelling to attend a burial ceremony in Benue State and abandoned a corpse they were conveying during the attack.

The incident reportedly occurred on Friday evening in Adoka, Otukpo Local Government Area of the state, while the victims were travelling from Kano State to Okpoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area for the burial.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the victims were abducted at about 8 p.m. when their vehicle reached Adoka.

The source disclosed that the gunmen abandoned the corpse at the scene before taking the six occupants to an unknown destination.

According to the source, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) discovered the corpse the following day and handed it over to the police, who subsequently deposited it in a mortuary.

The source further revealed that the kidnappers had contacted the victims’ families, demanding N15 million as ransom for their release.

Confirming the incident in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said the driver of the vehicle was his friend.

Ogiri described the incident as unfortunate and traumatic, expressing concern over the abduction.

“Yes, it happened. Incidentally, the driver of the vehicle is my friend. This is the unfortunate incident we are seeing. It is really traumatic. The kidnappers are demanding N15 million,” he said.

He added that security agencies were using tracking coordinates to locate the kidnappers, while local vigilante groups and youths were also supporting efforts to rescue the victims.

“Our security agencies are using coordinates to track them. Our vigilantes and youths are also not resting in their efforts to ensure that the kidnapped victims are rescued,” he stated.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Aondongu Orchia, also confirmed the incident, saying it occurred on Friday.

He assured that the police were making efforts to secure the safe rescue of the abducted persons.

The incident adds to growing security concerns in parts of Benue State, particularly along routes linking communities in the state’s southern senatorial district.