Suspected Gvnmen Allegedly Kidn@p Mourners En Route Burial in Benue

A husband was bringing his late wife home to be buried. Now he is one of six people in the hands of kidnappers, and her casket was left lying by the road.

The six mourners, the husband and five of his friends, were transporting the woman’s remains from Kano State to Okpoga in Okpokwu Local Council of Benue State.

Suspected gunmen reportedly intercepted their vehicle along the Adoka Road, abducted all six occupants and abandoned the casket containing her body on the highway.

Operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) later discovered the abandoned body, moved it to a police station in Adoka, and it was subsequently deposited in a morgue.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Council, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident and described it as distressing and traumatic.

He said the driver of the vehicle was his friend, and he expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the area.

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

Sources said the abductors have contacted the victims’ relatives and demanded a ransom for their release.

The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, also confirmed the abduction.

He assured residents that security personnel were combing the area to secure the victims’ release.

Security operatives, local youths and vigilante groups have reportedly launched a joint operation to rescue the victims and track down those responsible.