Suspected bandits have abducted no fewer than six travellers along the Naka–Makurdi road in Benue State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Kula Village, a community located near Makurdi, the state capital.
A family member of one of the victims, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the travellers began their journey from Ilorin on Monday. He said they decided to pass the night in Ankpa, Kogi State, due to security concerns along the road.
“They were seven in the vehicle and left Ankpa early Tuesday morning. About 20 minutes from Makurdi, their vehicle was intercepted at the Kula Village. One of the passengers escaped, but the six others —three males and three females—were whisked away by the kidnappers,” the source said.
The relative further disclosed that the abductors had already contacted families of the victims and were demanding N100m as ransom.
The Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area, Omnin Torsar, also confirmed the attack. He told PUNCH Metro that the incident happened at about 5:00 a.m. while the travellers were moving in a convoy.
“They ran into bandits near Kula, and some were abducted. The incident happened close to Makurdi along the Naka–Makurdi road,” Torsar said, though he noted that he did not have the precise number of victims at the time.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said no formal report of the incident had reached the command.
Kidnapping incidents have remained a major concern in Benue State amid growing insecurity. Only last week, nine worshippers were abducted at St John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, in Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area. Fourteen travellers were also kidnapped in Okpokwu LGA within the same period.
The Naka–Makurdi road has for years been considered a dangerous route due to repeated abductions. Security deployments last year brought a period of calm, but Tuesday’s incident has renewed fears among road users.
