Gunmen have abducted at least 14 travellers along the Utonkon–Okpoga Road in Benue State after ambushing a commercial bus conveying passengers from Oju and Obi Local Government Areas to destinations in western Nigeria.
The attack, which occurred around 7pm on Monday, February 9, was reported along the stretch linking Ado to Okpokwu LGA.
An eyewitness, Comrade Jude Onwe, a youth leader in Utonkon, said the bus was carrying 16 Igede-speaking passengers who had departed Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA en route to various locations in the West when the assailants struck shortly after the vehicle passed the Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga axis.
According to him, the gunmen forced the vehicle to a halt and marched the passengers into the bush.
“One of the passengers was shot dead when the driver initially refused to stop,” Onwe said, adding that the attackers seized the victims’ phones to prevent them from contacting relatives.
The abandoned vehicle was later recovered and taken to the Utonkon Police Station.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident, putting the number of abducted passengers at 14.
Police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, said investigations were underway and security operatives were already on the trail of the kidnappers.
“It is true that the incident happened. Investigation is ongoing, and we are on top of the situation,” she said.
