By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the release of six persons who were abducted by gunmen in Adoka, Otukpo Local Government Area, while travelling to convey a corpse for burial in Okpoga, Okpokwu Local Government Area.
The victims were reportedly travelling from Kano State to Okpoga last Friday when they were intercepted and abducted at Adoka at about 8 p.m.
During the incident, the corpse they were conveying was abandoned at the scene. It was later recovered on Saturday by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who handed it over to the police for deposit at a mortuary.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Command, DSP Aondongu Orchia, confirmed the release in a telephone conversation with our correspondent in Makurdi.
However, he declined to provide details of the rescue operation, explaining that he was yet to receive an official briefing from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Adoka.
Meanwhile, an informant familiar with the incident told our correspondent that the abductees were released at about 11 p.m. on Tuesday after a ransom of ₦2.5 million was reportedly paid to their captors.
The source also claimed that four plates of food were provided to the kidnappers as part of the arrangement for the victims’ release. However, the circumstances surrounding the reported payment have not been independently verified.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the release of the six abductees.
“Yes, they were released between the late hours of Tuesday and the early hours of Wednesday. I can’t say anything further because I am bereaved. I lost my mother, so I am not in a good frame of mind,” Ogiri said.
The release of the victims comes amid renewed concerns over kidnapping and insecurity along major routes in Benue State.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had not provided further details about the circumstances of the release or whether any arrests had been made in connection with the abduction.
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