Again, bandits abduct 14 passengers, kill two in Benue

Benue map

Suspected bandits have abducted 14 passengers who were travelling from the Igede axis of Oju and Obi Local Government Areas of Benue State.

The passengers were reported to be travelling to the Southwest when their vehicle was intercepted along the Okpokwu axis within Benue State at about 7 pm on Monday.

This is coming less than 48 hours, nine worshipers were kidnapped during a vigil at St John’s Catholic Church, Ojije in Utonkon, Ado LGA of the state.

Our correspondent learnt that two of the passengers were shot and died instantly during the attack.

A local source who spoke to our correspondent in Makurdi on the phone said, “They departed Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA, around 7 pm, and the driver passed through Utonkon-Ojapo/Okpoga road in Benue State, when the kidnappers stopped them and took 15 passengers into the bush.

“One person was shot dead when the driver refused to stop.”

The chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi who confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Tuesday, said that he was told that two people were killed. Punch