A family travelling to Benue State for the burial of their late mother has been thrown into grief after armed kidnappers released only the driver, the body of the deceased woman and one of her three children, while demanding N30 million for the release of the remaining two siblings.
The incident occurred along the Otukpo–Ogobia Road in Benue State, a route that has witnessed repeated attacks by armed criminals in recent years.
According to family members, the victims were travelling from Abuja to Oklenyi in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State for the burial of their late mother when their vehicle developed a mechanical fault on the road.
While the occupants were stranded and trying to resolve the problem, gunmen reportedly emerged from the surrounding bush, attacked them and took them away into the forest.
The kidnappers were said to have later contacted the family and eventually released the driver, handed over the corpse of the elderly woman and freed one of her three children.
Family sources, who spoke to Idoma Voice, said the deceased woman’s remains have since been taken to Okpoga, where funeral activities are already taking place.
However, the relief over the partial release has been overshadowed by the continued captivity of the two remaining siblings.
According to the family, the kidnappers have demanded N30 million as ransom before they will release the two victims.
The relatives said they are making desperate efforts to raise the money while also appealing to security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the captives safely.
The incident has left the family in a painful situation. While they are grateful that they were able to recover the remains of their late mother and proceed with her burial, they remain deeply worried about the fate of the two family members still being held by the kidnappers.
Sources close to the family said the emotional burden has been overwhelming, as relatives are forced to mourn the death of one loved one while anxiously waiting for the safe return of the others.
The latest abduction has once again highlighted the growing insecurity on many highways in Benue State and other parts of the country, where travellers continue to face the threat of kidnapping for ransom.
Several major roads linking Benue with neighbouring states have witnessed repeated attacks by armed gangs in recent years. Criminal groups often target commuters, private vehicles and commercial buses, taking victims into nearby forests and demanding huge sums of money from their families.
The Otukpo–Ogobia Road has particularly been identified by residents and motorists as one of the routes where attacks have become frequent. Many road users have repeatedly called on the government and security agencies to strengthen patrols and improve surveillance along the highway.
Kidnapping for ransom has become one of Nigeria’s biggest security challenges, affecting travellers, farmers, students, health workers and other citizens across different parts of the country.
Although security agencies have recorded successes in rescuing some victims and arresting suspected kidnappers, many families still face difficult choices when relatives are abducted. In many cases, kidnappers demand millions of naira before agreeing to release their captives.
In Benue State, insecurity has remained a major concern due to recurring attacks by armed herders, bandits and criminal gangs operating in different communities and along major roads. The situation has forced many residents to limit their movements, especially after dark.
Community leaders have repeatedly appealed to both the Federal Government and the Benue State Government to strengthen security operations, improve intelligence gathering and deploy more personnel to vulnerable areas.
The latest incident has renewed those calls, with residents urging authorities to take urgent steps to make highways safer for travellers.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident.
It was also unclear whether security agencies had launched a rescue operation or established contact with the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, the affected family continues to hope for the safe release of the two siblings still in captivity. Relatives say they are exploring every lawful means to secure their freedom while praying for a positive outcome.