Suspected gunmen kidnap 14 travellers, kill two along Okpokwu road

At least two passengers were killed while no fewer than 14 others were abducted in a fresh attack by suspected terrorists in the Okpokwu area of Benue State.

The incident occurred late Monday evening, coming less than 48 hours after armed assailants invaded a Catholic church in Ado Local Government Area and whisked away worshippers during a night vigil.

Findings revealed that the victims were travelling from the Igede axis of Oju and Obi local government areas to the South-West when their vehicle came under attack.

The assault reportedly took place around 7 p.m. on the Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga road in Okpokwu Local Government Area.

Sources told IDOMA VOICE that the attackers blocked the road and opened fire when the driver allegedly tried to flee.

“They departed Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA around 7 p.m.

The kidnappers stopped them on the road and took the passengers into the bush.

One person was shot dead before the driver stopped,” a source said.

It was also gathered that another passenger later died from gunshot wounds sustained during the attack.

Reacting on Tuesday, the Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Mr Jackson Ominyi, confirmed that he had been briefed by his security aides on the incident.

“I was informed that some of our people were abducted around the Okpokwu axis.

I learnt that two of the passengers were killed and the remaining passengers were taken away,” he said, adding that “he had contacted officers of the Department of State Services in the area.”

Meanwhile, attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful, as phone calls and text messages sent to her were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.