Security Alert: Police Confirm Kidnap of 14 Passengers in Benue State — Two Feared Dead

 

​The security situation in the North-Central region of Nigeria has taken a distressing turn as the Benue State Police Command officially confirmed the abduction of 14 travelers. This tragic incident, which occurred along the notorious Okpokwu corridor, has once again plunged the state into a state of mourning and heightened anxiety. As kidnapping for ransom becomes an escalating menace, the details of this specific attack highlight the daring nature of armed bandits operating within the fringes of Oju, Obi, and Okpokwu Local Government Areas.

​The Attack: A Night of Horror on the Okpokwu Road

​On the evening of Monday, February 9, 2026, a commercial vehicle transporting passengers from the Igede axis (specifically Oju and Obi LGAs) was ambushed. The victims, who had set out from the popular Iheijwo Market around 7:00 PM, were reportedly heading toward the South-West region of Nigeria when they encountered the gunmen.

​Eyewitness accounts and police reports indicate that the attackers opened fire on the vehicle when the driver initially hesitated to stop. In the ensuing chaos, two passengers were tragically shot dead on the spot. The bandits then marched 15 individuals into the dense forest, though subsequent reports clarified the number of those remaining in captivity.

​Official Police Statement and Response

​Confirming the incident to the press on Wednesday, February 11, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Benue Command, DSP Udeme Edet, stated that security agencies have been mobilized to track down the perpetrators.

​"Concerning the abduction of passengers on the Okpokwu road, it is true that it happened. Investigation into the incident is ongoing, and we are on top of the situation," Edet assured.

​While the police maintain they are making progress, the local communities remain on edge, questioning the safety of the interstate road networks that serve as vital economic lifelines for the Igede people.

​Rescue Efforts and Local Government Intervention

​In the wake of the kidnapping, there has been a coordinated effort between local government chairmen to secure the release of the victims. Mr. Jackson Ominyi, the Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, confirmed that he had been briefed on the deaths and the ongoing rescue mission.

​Notably, the Chairman of Okpokwu LGA has been instrumental in the early stages of the recovery. Through swift intervention, two of the abducted passengers have already been rescued and reunited with their families. However, 12 individuals remain in the hands of the kidnappers, with the local administration promising to leave no stone unturned until everyone is accounted for.

​A Pattern of Violence: The Catholic Church Abduction

​This latest attack is not an isolated incident. It occurred just two days after a similar horror unfolded at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon (Ado LGA). During a night vigil, armed men stormed the church and abducted nine worshippers.

​The proximity of these attacks—both in time and geography—suggests a coordinated surge in banditry across the Benue South senatorial district. The Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga road is increasingly being flagged by commuters as a high-risk zone, with many calling for a permanent military checkpoint or increased police patrols in the area.

​The Growing Threat of Insecurity in Benue

​Benue State, often referred to as the "Food Basket of the Nation," is currently grappling with a multifaceted security crisis. Beyond the perennial farmer-herder conflicts, the rise of highway kidnapping and rural banditry is threatening food security and free movement.

​When travelers can no longer transport goods from markets like Iheijwo to the South-West without fear of death or abduction, the economic consequences ripple through the entire country. The killing of two passengers in this latest raid serves as a grim reminder that these criminals are increasingly willing to use lethal force to achieve their aims.

​What Travelers Need to Know

​For those planning to travel through the Okpokwu, Oju, or Ado corridors in Benue State, security experts recommend extreme caution:

• ​Avoid Night Travel: Most ambushes, including this latest one, occur after sunset (between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM).
• ​Travel in Convoys: While not a foolproof solution, moving in groups can sometimes deter opportunistic attackers.
• ​Stay Updated: Monitor local news and security alerts regarding the Utonkon–Ojapo road and surrounding areas.

​Conclusion: A Call for Urgent Action

​The kidnapping of 14 passengers and the cold-blooded murder of two citizens is a clarion call for the Federal and State governments to bolster security architecture in Benue. As the families of the 12 remaining victims wait in agony, the hope remains that the combined efforts of the Police and local vigilantes will result in a safe rescue.

​The story of the Benue 14 is a somber chapter in the ongoing struggle for peace in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Until the "Okpokwu corridor" is secured, the road to the South-West remains a path of peril for the people of Igede.