Gunmen Kill Two, Abduct 14 Travellers in Fresh Benue Highway Ambush

In a shocking escalation of insecurity in Benue State, suspected gunmen on Monday night ambushed a commercial bus along the Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga route in Okpokwu Local Government Area, killing two passengers and abducting 14 others.

The victims, mostly from the Igede axis of Oju and Obi Local Government Areas, were travelling from Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA to the South-west when the attack occurred around 7 p.m. Eyewitnesses said the assailants blocked the road and opened fire after the driver attempted to evade them. One passenger was reportedly shot dead before the vehicle stopped, while another succumbed to gunshot wounds at the scene. The remaining passengers were dragged into the bush, with their phones seized to prevent any immediate distress calls.

Confirming the incident, Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Hon. Jackson Ominyi (also spelled Onmiyi), said he was briefed by his security aides. “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,” he stated, adding that he had contacted officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the area.

According to updated information, two of the abducted passengers have since been rescued alive through the intervention of security operatives and the Chairman of Okpokwu LGA, bringing the number still in captivity to 12. Search operations are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims. The abandoned bus has been moved to the Utonkon Police Station.

The Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comments as calls and text messages to her line went unanswered at the time of filing this report.

As earlier reported by NaijaChoice News, this latest attack occurred barely two days after gunmen invaded St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije community, Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area, during a night vigil and abducted nine worshippers. That incident, which also happened at night, took place in the same volatile southern axis linking Ado, Oju, and Okpokwu LGAs.

The renewed assaults come amid a troubling wave of violence across southern and eastern Benue. In recent weeks, gunmen have repeatedly targeted communities in Kwande Local Government Area, raiding markets, killing residents and security operatives, and abducting traders. Other attacks, including the killing of five persons in Entekpa community in Otukpo LGA, have further heightened tensions.

Residents and travellers in the affected areas have expressed deep fears, lamenting that major roads have once again become unsafe after dusk. Many are calling on the state government and security agencies to intensify patrols and restore confidence on these critical routes.

Governor Hyacinth Alia and relevant security commanders are yet to issue official statements on the latest incident, even as families of the victims continue to wait anxiously for the safe return of their loved ones.