Benue Kidnapping: Six Travellers Abducted, N100m Ransom Demanded

Six travellers, including members of Ansaarudeen, were abducted by gunmen near Kula village along the Naka–Makurdi Road in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday morning, with kidnappers demanding a N100 million ransom shortly after the incident.

Gunmen on Tuesday morning abducted six travellers near Kula village along the dilapidated Naka–Makurdi Road in the Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State. Reports indicate that the kidnappers, within a mere two hours of the abduction, initiated contact with the victims’ families, demanding a hefty N100 million for their release.

Eyewitness Accounts and Victim Details

Witnesses described how the victims, comprising three men and three women, were travelling in a convoy when their vehicles were intercepted during the early hours of Tuesday. It has been gathered that four of those abducted are reportedly members of Ansaarudeen, who had departed Ilorin on Monday and arrived in Naka late that night. They are said to have lodged overnight before resuming their journey around 5 am, only to encounter the armed men.

However, some witnesses claim that the victims spent Monday night in the Ankpa area of Kogi State before proceeding towards Makurdi at 5 am. They were subsequently intercepted by the gunmen in Kula community, which is close to Makurdi, where the crime took place.

Ransom Demands and Ongoing Negotiations

One of the victims’ husbands confirmed the distressing development, stating that the kidnappers had contacted the families approximately two hours after the abduction, setting the ransom at N100 million. “They are six – three males and three females. Negotiations are ongoing on how to raise the money,” he confirmed.

Victor Ormin, the Chairman of Gwer West LGA, corroborated the incident when speaking to journalists in Makurdi. He described the victims as travellers who were attacked whilst moving in a convoy. “It’s true, I have confirmed the abduction. I was told they left Naka around 5 am before they ran into bandits who abducted some of them,” Ormin stated. He added that the incident occurred near Makurdi along the Naka–Makurdi axis, but he could not immediately confirm the exact number of victims.

As of press time, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue command, DSP Udeme Edet, had not responded to calls or messages concerning the incident.