Nine passengers, including the driver of a Benue State-owned bus, were abducted by gunmen along the Owukpa–Orokam road in Ogbadibo Local Government Area on Saturday evening.
The victims were returning from the Orba market in Enugu State to Owukpa when the attack occurred around 7 p.m. According to Grace Ogwuche, a resident of Owukpa, the assailants opened fire on the vehicle, shooting the driver and another passenger.
The bus reportedly lost control and veered off the road before the gunmen abducted the remaining passengers.
“One of the passengers was badly injured and left behind due to excessive bleeding,” Ogwuche said.
The wounded victim is currently receiving intensive care at St. Mary’s Hospital in Okpoga, Okpokwu LGA.
Amos Agada, leader of the Owukpa vigilante group, confirmed the incident and noted that the kidnappers had yet to contact any of the victims’ families.
He said local security operatives are working to locate and rescue the abductees.
Community leader Adikwu Daniel called on the Ogbadibo Local Government Chairman and security agencies to act swiftly.
“This area has long been a danger zone, and there’s no effective security network to prevent such attacks,” he warned.
When contacted, Benue State Commissioner for Energy and Transport, Omale Omale, said he had not yet received a report of the incident and referred inquiries to the General Manager of Benue Link Transport.
Meanwhile, the transport company’s Information Officer, Ehi Johnson, declined to comment but promised to provide updates in due course.
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As of press time, efforts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful.
