Suspected kidnappers have abducted no fewer than 16 persons when a Benue Links bus was intercepted between Ugbokolo and Okpoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Some of the 16 passengers in the bus were heading to Okpoga and Owukpa when the kidnapers blocked the road and whisked them away.
An eyewitness who spoke exclusively to AFRIPOST said a young man in the bus, upon sighting the men ahead of the bus told the driver to stop as they were kidnappers, but the driver waved the concern away saying they were police officers.
According to the eyewitness, the passenger jumped down and escaped into the bush before getting to the kidnappers. The rest of the passengers were whisked into the bush.
AFRIPOST gathered that the kidnappers have demanded N500 million ransom from the Benue State government.
Despite the ransom demanded from the state government, the kidnappers have also established contacts with the families of those kidnapped.
Speaking to a source close to the family of one the victims identified as Jude Boniface Ejeh Ochai from Owukpa, Ogbadibo LGA, he confirmed that the kidnappers have contacted Mr Ochai’s family and have demaeded for an amount he could not disclose.
When AFRIPOST reached out to the Benue State Police Commissioner, he said he was in a meeting and promised to call back after his meeting. Our correspondent also forwarded a message to him, but has not received a response yet regarding the effort of the police.