In a tragic turn of events, reports have emerged regarding the abduction of three siblings in Benue State, who were in the somber process of transporting their deceased mother’s body for burial. The incident occurred during the early morning hours on a Saturday, around 4 a.m., while the siblings were en route to the Iklenyi community, located in the neighboring Okpokwu Local Government Area.
According to local residents, the abduction unfolded in a similarly distressing manner to previous recorded incidents in the region. The gunmen struck as the siblings traveled along the Ogobia-Otukpo road, specifically between the areas known as Omutele and Ankpechi in the Oglewu District of the Ohimini Local Government Area in Benue State. Eyewitness reports indicate that the assailants used firearms, which instilled panic in the hearts of those nearby.
One local resident, who goes by the name Elijah, recounted the harrowing atmosphere that gripped the community during the early hours of that fateful day. Speaking to reporters over the phone, he expressed his concern for the safety of the residents after hearing multiple gunshots between 3 and 4 a.m. “Initially, we assumed it was an attack by the Fulani herdsmen targeting our community,” Elijah recounted. “However, as dawn broke, we were shocked to learn that gunmen had kidnapped individuals who were respectfully escorting their mother’s remains from Abuja to Iklenyi for burial.”
In the wake of the incident, a controversial video circulating on social media has further fueled public outcry and concern for the family’s plight. The footage suggests that the vehicle transporting the siblings experienced a mechanical failure, rendering them stranded on the roadside and susceptible to the lurking danger of kidnappers. This critical delay occurred just hours before the abduction, raising questions about the safety of travelers in the area.
As of the latest updates, a spokesperson, identified as Edet, has not yet provided any further information regarding the unfolding situation. The community remains on edge, grappling with the fear of violence that has seemingly infiltrated every aspect of their lives.
This tragic incident is not isolated; it harkens back to an earlier event just last week when gunmen ambushed a convoy transporting the remains of a former Deputy Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Augustine Ikwue. This ambush occurred along the Ochadamu–Ejule road in neighboring Kogi State, as mourners were making their way to his hometown near Otukpo LGA in Benue State. The assailants temporarily seized the body during the attack, which caused further distress among the grieving family members and friends. Thankfully, the remains were eventually abandoned and recovered for the purposes of a respectful burial.
In light of these alarming events, the community’s cry for safety and justice echoes louder than ever, as residents grapple with the fear and uncertainty that has come to define their daily lives. The government and security agencies are under mounting pressure to address the rising tide of violence and kidnapping in Benue State and neighboring areas.
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