BREAKING: Protest breaks out in Owukpa community over abduction of traders along Orokam road

Youths in Owukpa, Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State, on Monday staged a massive protest following the recent abduction of several female traders by suspected armed herdsmen.

It was gathered that the victims were abducted over the weekend after suspected gunmen hijacked a Benue Links vehicle along the Owukpa–Orokam road. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. near the Eyiupi community as the women were returning from Orba market in Enugu State to Owukpa.

The attackers, believed to be armed herdsmen, reportedly ambushed the vehicle and whisked away all the female passengers, including young women and older adults. As of press time, the kidnappers had yet to contact the victims’ families with any ransom demands.

The development sparked outrage in the community, prompting local youths to block the Orokam-Owukpa-Okpoga road in protest. They are demanding immediate government intervention to secure the release of the abducted women.

The protest has caused major disruptions, with commuters from Enugu and surrounding communities stranded, as the aggrieved youths insisted that no one would be allowed to enter or leave Owukpa until concrete steps are taken to address the situation.