Benue: Gunmen Abduct Husband, Five Others Returning Home With Wife’s Corpse, Demand N15m

Armed men have abducted a bereaved husband and five other persons who were conveying his wife’s corpse from Kano State to Okpoga, his hometown in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Friday night along the Adoka axis of Otukpo Local Government Area, while the attackers abandoned the deceased woman’s body inside the vehicle.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over insecurity along the Otukpo–Ogobia–Adoka corridor, where another group of mourners conveying a corpse was abducted less than five months ago.

According to a report by Daily Trust, the latest victims were intercepted at about 8pm while approaching their destination, with their journey reportedly cut short barely an hour before they were expected to arrive.

Residents said they discovered an abandoned vehicle along the road on Saturday morning, with the corpse of a woman inside. They subsequently realised that the occupants had been taken away by the attackers.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were said to have arrived at the scene and evacuated the corpse to a morgue in Adoka town.

An Idoma community social media influencer, Meddy Olotu, who said he had spoken with members of the bereaved husband’s family, disclosed that the abductors had contacted the family and demanded N15 million for the release of the six victims.

Olotu explained that the deceased woman’s husband, who is based in Kano, had embarked on the long journey with five other persons to convey her remains to Okpoga for burial.

He said communication with the victims suddenly stopped as they approached Otukpo, approximately 35 kilometres from Adoka, where the abduction reportedly occurred.

According to him, the kidnappers took the six occupants into the bush, leaving the woman’s corpse inside their vehicle.

The incident is the second reported abduction involving mourners conveying the remains of a deceased relative along the corridor in less than five months.

In July 2026, three siblings travelling from Abuja to Benue State with their late mother’s remains were reportedly kidnapped between Omutele and Ankpechi communities along the Ogobia–Adoka Road in Oglewu District of Ohimini Local Government Area.

Rescue Operation

Confirming the latest incident, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Prince Maxwell Ogiri, described the abduction as unfortunate and traumatic.

Ogiri, who disclosed that the driver of the vehicle was his friend, confirmed that the kidnappers were demanding N15 million ransom.

He, however, said security agencies had commenced operations to secure the release of the victims.

The FRSC Information Officer, Ngozi Ahula, also confirmed that officials of the command evacuated the deceased woman’s body from the scene.

She said she had verified the incident through FRSC officials in the area.

Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue State Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the abduction, saying it occurred on Friday.

Aondongu added that security operatives were making efforts to rescue the six abducted persons.