Armed Herdsmen Abduct Female Passengers in Benue State, Leaving One Critically Injured

Victims Seized from Benue Links Bus on Dangerous Owukpa-Orokam Road; Vigilantes and Community Leaders Call for Urgent Action

Suspected armed herdsmen struck again in Benue State on Sunday evening, hijacking a Benue Links bus and kidnapping multiple female passengers along the perilous Owukpa-Orokam road in Ogbadibo Local Government Area.

The attack occurred around 7 p.m. near the Eyiupi community as the victims were returning from Orba market in Enugu to Owukpa. Witnesses say the gunmen ambushed the vehicle, forcibly taking away the women—both young and old—while leaving behind a severely wounded passenger who had been shot during the assault.

The injured woman, abandoned by the kidnappers due to heavy bleeding that could have revealed their location, is now fighting for her life in the intensive care unit of St. Mary’s Hospital in Okpoga.

Amos Agada, leader of the Owukpa vigilante group, confirmed the incident, stating that as of Sunday morning, the abductors had not reached out to any of the victims’ families. Local security forces have launched a rescue operation, but concerns remain high over the lack of sustained security presence in the area.

Hon. Adikwu Daniel, a community leader, sounded the alarm in a public statement, urging Ogbadibo Local Government Chairman and security agencies to act swiftly.

“This route has long been a danger zone, yet there’s no serious security network to prevent these attacks,” Daniel said. “We need immediate intervention to rescue these women and stop further bloodshed.”

The appeal has been sent to the Ada Ogbadibo (traditional leader), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Orokam, as fears grow over the worsening security crisis in the region.