The Benue State Police Command has acknowledged the abduction of 14 passengers journeying from the Igede area of Oju and Obi Local Government Areas.
The command’s spokesman, DSP Udeme Edet, verified the incident, which took place along the Okpokwu corridor on Monday evening, noting that enquiries were in progress.
“Regarding the kidnap of passengers on the Okpokwu road, it is confirmed that it occurred. Investigation is underway, and we are handling the situation,” Edet stated.
The travellers were reportedly heading to the South-West when their vehicle was ambushed around 7pm on Monday along the Okpokwu route.
The occurrence came barely 48 hours after nine worshippers were seized during a night vigil at St John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, in Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area.
It was gathered that two passengers were shot and died on the spot during the assault.
A community source, who contacted our correspondent by telephone from Makurdi, disclosed that the passengers left Iheijwo Market in Oju Local Government Area around 7pm.
“They were passing through the Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga road in Benue State when the abductors intercepted them and dragged 15 passengers into the forest. One individual was shot dead when the driver initially attempted to escape,” the source revealed.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Mr Jackson Ominyi, told our PUNCH on Tuesday that he received information that two persons were killed during the operation.
He noted that efforts by his counterpart in Okpokwu Local Government Area resulted in the rescue of two captives.
“My security officer contacted me some hours ago to brief me that some of our residents were kidnapped around the Okpokwu area,” Ominyi disclosed.
“I appreciate the Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Area for securing the release of two persons thus far and for his guarantee that all the remaining 12 victims will be freed.”