Gunmen Abduct 45 Passengers in Brazen Attack along Otukpo-Enugu Road

In a shocking incident on Thursday at approximately 3:30 pm, armed assailants attacked three fully loaded 15-seater commercial buses along the Otukpo-Enugu Road in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue state. Eyewitnesses and survivors reveal that the gunmen, emerging from the dense forests in Orokam, forced the drivers at gunpoint to pull over, leading to the abduction of about 45 passengers.

The targeted stretch of the road, described as in poor condition, made it easier for the armed men to halt the vehicles. According to a driver from Makurdi who narrowly escaped the ambush, the attackers, heavily armed and menacing, strategically targeted commercial buses, possibly aiming for a larger number of passengers to maximize ransom potential.

Recalling the harrowing experience, the driver stated, “Their target was obviously commercial buses, maybe because of the number of passengers that could harvest ransom for them. In this particular instance, they took passengers in three-loaded buses that were heading toward Otukpo.”

Quick thinking and a fortuitous obstacle in the form of a J-5 articulated vehicle in the front of the convoy allowed the driver and his passengers to escape into the nearby bush. Miraculously, none of the passengers under his care fell victim to the armed men.

As the survivors hid in the bush for nearly 30 minutes, military personnel arrived on motorbikes and a hilux van, inquiring about the whereabouts of the armed kidnappers and their victims. The incident unfolded between a police and army checkpoint in Orokam, adding a layer of complexity to the security response.

Reports indicate that the armed men have already initiated negotiations with the families of the kidnapped passengers, initially demanding N15 million for each victim. However, negotiations led to a settlement at N3 million for each passenger. A manager from a transportation company disclosed that families, in a desperate bid to secure their loved ones’ release, have encountered communication hurdles with the kidnappers.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene, stated that she currently lacks the detailed report on the incident.