By Ayomide Otitoju
Gunmen have abducted 15 passengers along the Utonkon–Okpoga Road in Benue State, authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Monday in the Utonkon axis of Ado Local Government Area, targeting a commercial bus travelling from Utonkon to Okpoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area. The bus, carrying 16 passengers who had departed from Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA en route to various destinations in South West Nigeria, was intercepted by the gunmen, who forced the passengers into the bush.
Jude Onwe, a youth leader in Utonkon, said the attackers seized the passengers’ phones to prevent them from contacting relatives. The abandoned bus was later recovered and moved to the Utonkon police station.
Oju LGA Chairman Jackson Ominyi said two passengers were killed while two others were rescued through a coordinated effort with Okpokwu LGA authorities. Security agencies are continuing their search for the remaining abductees.
Benue State Police spokesman Udeme Edet, however, reported that one passenger was killed and 15 were kidnapped. He added that the state Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, has deployed a tactical team to pursue the perpetrators.
The abduction comes just 48 hours after gunmen attacked Saint John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon district, abducting nine worshippers during a vigil. No arrests have been made in that case.
Benue has faced repeated attacks by armed groups targeting travellers and residents, despite ongoing efforts by the state government and security agencies to curb such incidents.
