Nine passengers, including the driver of a Benue State-owned transport company bus, were abducted by gunmen on Saturday evening along the Owukpa–Orokam road in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victims were returning from Orba market in Enugu State to Owukpa when the incident occurred around 7 pm.
According to Grace Ogwuche, a resident of Owukpa who spoke with journalists on Sunday, the attackers opened fire on the vehicle, injuring the driver and another passenger.
She said, “They shot the driver and one other person, causing the vehicle to lose control and veer off the road. The other passengers were later kidnapped. I want to call on the Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Council to liaise with relevant security agencies to act fast to rescue the victims.”
Reports indicate that one of the passengers who sustained severe gunshot wounds was abandoned at the scene due to heavy bleeding. The injured individual is currently being treated at the intensive care unit of St. Mary’s Hospital in Okpoga, located in Okpokwu LGA.
Confirming the attack, Amos Agada, the leader of the Owukpa vigilante group, said the gunmen have yet to establish contact with any of the victims’ families. He added that local security teams are actively working to secure the release of the abductees.
In a separate statement, community leader Adikwu Daniel called on authorities to urgently respond to the situation and ensure security is reinforced in the area.
He said, “The area had long been a danger zone, and no serious security network is in place to stop or reduce these attacks.”
When contacted, the Benue State Commissioner for Energy and Transport, Omale Omale, said he had not been informed of the incident.
He stated, “I kindly refer you to the general manager of Benue Link. He has the authority to speak on my behalf, although he has yet to bring the incident to my knowledge.”
Similarly, Mr. Ehi Johnson, the Information Officer of the Benue Link Transport Company, told our correspondent that he was not in a position to comment yet.
“Right now, I can’t speak on the matter yet. I will get back to you at the right time. But for now, give me a little time,” he said.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as of press time.
