16 Travellers Kidnapped by Gunmen on Benue Road

At least 16 travellers were abducted by armed attackers along the Utonkon–Okpoga Road in Benue State on Monday evening. The victims were aboard a commercial bus transporting passengers from Oju and Obi Local Government Areas to destinations in western Nigeria.

The incident occurred around 7:00 pm, according to witnesses, less than 24 hours after nine people were kidnapped from a church in Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area.

Comrade Jude Onwe, a youth leader in Utonkon, said the bus had departed Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA when gunmen intercepted it near the Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga axis. He reported that the attackers forced 15 passengers into nearby bushes after the driver initially resisted, resulting in one death. Phones belonging to the passengers were reportedly confiscated to prevent communication. The abandoned bus was later taken to the Utonkon Police Station.

Oju LGA Chairman Jackson Ominyi confirmed the attack, stating that two of the 16 victims were killed and two others have been rescued through collaboration with Okpokwu LGA officials. Security agencies continue to search for the remaining 12 abducted travellers.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.