Benue Kidnappers Free Driver, Hold 2 Siblings, Demand ₦30m Ransom

Some of the victims abducted along the Otukpo–Ogobia Road in Benue State have regained their freedom after gunmen released the driver, the body of an elderly woman and one of her three children.

The abductors, however, are still holding two of the siblings and have demanded a ₦30 million ransom for their release.

The victims were reportedly travelling from Abuja to Oklenyi in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State for the burial of their late mother when their vehicle developed a fault along the Otukpo–Ogobia Road.

According to family members, the travelers were stranded when armed men attacked and abducted them.

Sources told Idoma Voice that the kidnappers later released the driver, handed over the deceased woman’s body and freed one of the siblings.

The woman’s remains have since been taken to Okpoga, where funeral rites are already underway.

Despite the partial release, two members of the family remain in captivity.

Family sources said the abductors have contacted relatives and are demanding ₦30 million before the remaining victims will be released.

Relatives are reportedly making efforts to raise the ransom while appealing to security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the safe rescue of the captives.

The incident has left the family with mixed emotions as they mourn the deceased while anxiously awaiting the release of the two siblings still being held.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.