14 passengers abducted, two killed in Benue state attack
Fourteen passengers travelling from the Igede axis of Oju and Obi local government areas to the South-West have allegedly abducted and two killed by suspected terrorists in the Okpokwu axis of Benue State.
Penpushing reports that the incident was said to have occurred on Monday at about 7pm along the Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga route within Okpokwu local government area when their vehicle was ambushed by the gunmen
The sources added that the assailants stopped the vehicle and opened fire when the driver attempted to evade them, but subsequently overpowered the passengers and thereafter took them into the bush.
Penpushing further reports that the sources stated that one person was shot dead before the driver stopped, adding that another passenger was also reported to have died from gunshot wounds at the scene
The Chairman of Oju Local Government, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, explaining that he had been briefed by his security aides, and learnt that two of the passengers were killed and the remaining passengers were taken away
“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. I have contacted officers of the Department of State Services in the area’, Ominyi said
Penpushing also reports that the Benue State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, as at the time of filing this report was yet to make any official statement on the sad development.
The latest abduction occurred two days after gunmen abducted nine worshippers during a night vigil at St John’s Catholic Church in Ojije community, Utonkon District of Ado local government area, an incident which occurred at night, in the same southern axis of the state linking Ado, Oju and Okpokwu.
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