Suspected bandits have kidnapped 14 passengers in Benue State, killing two, while armed herders killed five others in separate attacks across the state.
Naija News reports that the attack occurred on Monday evening along the Okpokwu axis, targeting passengers travelling from the Igede area of Oju and Obi local government areas.
Also, the herder attack took place in Tuutuu in Entekpa Ward of Adoka, Otukpo Local Government Area.
The victims were reportedly en route to the South West when their vehicle was intercepted along the Okpokwu axis at about 7 pm on Monday
The attack comes less than 48 hours after nine worshippers were kidnapped during a vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije in Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area.
A local source in Makurdi told Punch that “They departed Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA around 7 pm, and the driver passed through Utonkon-Ojapo/Okpoga road in Benue State when the kidnappers stopped them and took 15 passengers into the bush. One person was shot dead when the driver refused to stop.”
The chairman of Oju LGA, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed the incident.
He said, “My security officer called me a few hours ago and told me that some of our people were abducted around the Okpokwu axis. I learnt that two of the passengers were killed and the bandits whisked away the remaining passengers.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the abduction.
Edet said, “Concerning the abduction of passengers on Okpokwu road, it’s true it happened, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing, and we are on top of the situation.”
Confirming the herders’ attack in Tuutuu, Entekpa Ward of Adoka, Otukpo LGA, the ward head, Oliver Inalegwu, told journalists on Tuesday that the village had become deserted following the attack.
