Gunmen believed to be herdsmen hijacked a Benue Links commercial bus and abducted several female passengers, including children, along the Owukpa–Orokam road in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident took place around 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, near the Eyiupi community, as the victims were returning from the Orba market in Enugu State to Owukpa.
According to reports, the attackers ambushed the vehicle and forcefully took the female passengers into the bush. One of the victims, who sustained serious gunshot injuries during the assault, was abandoned by the kidnappers due to her excessive bleeding, which they feared could expose their location.
She is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital in Okpoga.
Confirming the incident, the leader of the Owukpa vigilante group, Amos Agada, stated on Sunday morning, June 1, that the kidnappers had not yet reached out to any of the victims’ families.
He added that local security operatives were working to secure the release of the abducted women.
A community leader, Hon. Adikwu Daniel, also issued a statement urging the Chairman of the Ogbadibo Local Government Council and relevant security agencies to act quickly.
He emphasised the urgent need for a permanent security presence in the area, which he described as a long-standing danger zone lacking adequate protection.
