GUNMEN have abducted nine passengers, including the driver of a Benue State-owned transport company bus, along the Owukpa–Orokam road in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state.
The incident reportedly occurred around 7pm on Saturday, while the passengers were returning from Orba market in Enugu State to Owukpa.
A resident of Owukpa, Grace Ogwuche, who spoke to journalists on Sunday, said the attackers shot the driver and another passenger.
She said, “They shot the driver and one other person, causing the vehicle to lose control and veer off the road. The other passengers were later kidnapped.
“I want to call on the Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Council to liaise with relevant security agencies to act fast to rescue the victims.”
It was learnt that one of the passengers who sustained severe gunshot wounds during the attack was left behind as a result of excessive bleeding.
The wounded passenger is currently receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of St. Mary’s Hospital in Okpoga, Okpokwu LGA.
Leader of the Owukpa vigilante group, Amos Agada, who confirmed the incident on Sunday, said the kidnappers had not contacted any of the victims’ families.
According to him, the local security operatives were already making efforts to rescue the abducted passengers.
Also, a community leader, Adikwu Daniel, who raised the alarm in a statement, urged the Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Council and security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the victims and install a sustainable security presence along the dangerous route.
“The area had long been a danger zone, and no serious security network is in place to stop or reduce these attacks,” he said.
When contacted, the state Commissioner for Energy and Transport, Omale Omale, said he has yet to receive the report.
He said, “I kindly refer you to the general manager of Benue Link. He has the authority to speak on my behalf, although he has yet to bring the incident to my knowledge.”
However, the Benue Link Transport company Information Officer, Mr Ehi Johnson, told our correspondent that he could not speak on the development at present, just as he promised to get across to newsmen at the appropriate time.
“Right now, I can’t speak on the matter yet. I will get back to you at the right time. But for now, give me a little time,” he said.
As of press time, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comment.