Several female passengers were abducted on Saturday evening when suspected armed herdsmen hijacked a Benue Links vehicle along the Owukpa–Orokam road in Ogbadibo local government area of Benue state....READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE |
The incident occurred around 7 pm near the Eyiupi community, as the victims were returning from Orba market in Enugu to Owukpa.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, believed to be armed herders, ambushed the vehicle and whisked away the women.
One of the passengers, who sustained severe gunshot wounds during the attack, was abandoned due to excessive bleeding, which the abductors feared could reveal their location.
She is currently receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of St. Mary’s Hospital in Okpoga.
Amos Agada, leader of the Owukpa vigilante group, confirmed the incident.
He said as of Sunday morning, the abductors had not contacted the families of any of the victims.
Agada added that local security operatives were already working to secure the release of the abducted women.
Hon Daniel Adikwu, a community leader, also raised the alarm in a statement issued late Saturday.
He called on the chairman of Ogbadibo local government area and security agencies to act swiftly and rescue the victims.
“The area has long been a danger zone, and no serious security network is in place to stop or reduce these attacks,” he said.