Gunmen abduct man returning to bury wife, 5 others in Benue

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Gunmen have abducted a bereaved man and five others travelling from Kano State to bury his late wife in Okpoga, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, abandoning the woman’s corpse in their vehicle by the roadside.

The victims were reportedly intercepted at Adoka, in Otukpo Local Government Area, at about 8pm on Friday, October 30, while their abductors have demanded N15 million ransom for their release.

A local source, who pleaded anonymity, said relatives lost contact with the travellers shortly after they arrived in Adoka, adding that the victims remained in captivity as of Monday.

In a video shared with our correspondent, the source said the man, who resides in Kano, was returning home with his wife’s remains and some companions when the gunmen intercepted their vehicle.

“After the long journey, they got to Adoka at about 8pm. That was the last time the family members could reach them.

“That same Friday, along Adoka Road, they were kidnapped and the wife’s corpse was left in the vehicle. About six of them were taken to the bush. From Friday till this Monday, they have not been released.

“They are demanding N15 million from someone who lost his wife,” the source lamented.

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

Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the abduction, describing the incident as traumatic. He disclosed that the driver of the vehicle was his friend.

“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.

“But the security agencies are tracking them. Our vigilantes and youths are also not resting in ensuring that the kidnapped victims are rescued,” Ogiri told newsmen on the telephone.

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

He assured that the police were making efforts to rescue the victims.