Suspected bandits have released the 14 abducted travellers who were travelling from Oju local government area of Benue State to Southern part of the country after spending 10 days in captivity.
The freed 14 travellers were intercepted by bandits and whisked away to unknown location on February 9, 2026, while two others were shot dead when the driver of the vehicle in which they were travelling in refused to stop.
They left Oju and were attacked along Utonkon/ Okpoga Road in the Southern part of Benue state.
Confirming their release, the Igede Youth Council (IYC), in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jairus Awo Otakom, said N1million ransom was paid to facilitate their release.
Otakom, who posted on his verified Facebook page to announce their release, warned that Utonkon-Okpoga road cannot continue to be a “pay-to-pass” zone for kidnappers.
The statement demanded that the Benue State Government refund the affected families who have suffered both trauma and financial loss.
The Igede youth called for an immediate, visible military and police presence on the route to ensure no other family has to go through the “nightmare”.
“We thank the Almighty for their safe return to their families. On the Terms of Release:
We must state for the record that this freedom came at a significant cost. The families of the victims painstakingly contributed N500,000, which was augmented by a N500,000 contribution from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), totalling One Million Naira (N1,000,000) paid to the captors. While we celebrate their life, we remain saddened that ordinary citizens must pay for the security that should be guaranteed by the state.
“The IYC extends its deepest gratitude to the leadership and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). Your proactive leadership, financial support, and tireless coordination were instrumental in navigating this crisis,” the statement added.
However, when contacted on the development, the Benue State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme, to our correspondent, “I will get back to youl”
Recall that nine worshippers of St. John’s Catholic Church in Utonkon, Ado Local government area of Benue State, whom were abducted during a night vigil, also regained freedom recently.
