At least 14 travellers were abducted by gunmen along the Utonkon–Okpoga Road in Benue State following an attack on a commercial bus conveying passengers from Oju and Obi Local Government Areas to western Nigeria.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Monday, February 9, along the road linking Ado and Okpokwu Local Government Area.
An eyewitness, Comrade Jude Onwe, a youth leader in Utonkon community, said the bus, carrying 16 Igede-speaking passengers, was heading towards Okpoga in Okpokwu LGA when it was intercepted by the attackers. The passengers had departed Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA for various destinations in the western part of the country.
Onwe explained that the gunmen stopped the vehicle and abducted 15 passengers into the bush, shooting one person dead when the driver initially refused to comply. “The gunmen collected the passengers’ phones to prevent them from contacting their relatives,” he said, adding that the abandoned bus was later moved to the Utonkon Police Station.
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of 14 passengers. Police spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet said, “Concerning the abduction of passengers on the Okpokwu road, it is true that it happened. Investigation into the incident is ongoing, and we are on top of the situation.”
Authorities continue to investigate the attack and have intensified security measures along the Utonkon–Okpoga corridor to prevent further incidents.
