‘Those that said they were Idoma by tribe were killed immediately by kidnappers’ – Survivor recounts horror

A chilling account has emerged from a female survivor of a kidnapping incident that occurred on Tuesday near Ugbokpo in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State. The woman, who was abducted on her way from Abuja, alleged that her captors, believed to be Fulani herdsmen, specifically targeted and executed victims who identified as Idoma.

In a voice message shared with this reporter, the distraught survivor recounted how she narrowly escaped death by denying her tribal identity.

“Everyone that said they were Idoma by tribe was killed immediately,” she said, her voice shaking with emotion. “I had to deny my tribe yesterday for my life to be spared.”

She claimed that all the men abducted, along with one woman who admitted to being Idoma, were executed by the attackers.

The survivor was eventually released and was able to speak with our correspondent by phone, describing the horror she witnessed in the forest where she was held captive.

The incident has sparked outrage and fear across the Idoma community and beyond, with calls mounting for security agencies to urgently address the rising cases of ethnically targeted violence along Nigeria’s highways.

As of press time, security authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the reported killings or the rescue of any victims.