Gunmen Kidnap 15 Passengers in Benue

Gunmen who reportedly wore military uniforms have abducted at least 15 passengers and killed one person in an attack in Okpokwu LGA of Benue state.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the incident occurred on Sunday at about 7:30pm in Ado-Okpoga, along the Oju-Ado-Ekiti route.

Citing sources, Zagazola reported that the passengers were kidnapped when the “vehicle driven by one Gbenga Peter, 35, was travelling from Oju LGA in Benue to Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti state with 23 passengers on board when it was intercepted by nine armed men”.

“On reaching Ado-Okpoga, the bus was attacked by nine unknown armed bandits wearing army uniforms. Fifteen passengers were abducted into the bush,” Zagazola quoted a source as saying.

During the attack, one passenger was reportedly shot dead. The driver and eight other passengers escaped and later reported the incident at the Okpokwu police station.

TheCable could not independently verify the incident. Calls and text messages to Udeme Edet, spokesperson of the Benue state police command, were not returned as of press time.

Meanwhile, the divisional police officer in Okpokwu reportedly mobilised patrol teams to rescue the abducted victims.