Terror on Benue Highway: Gunmen Abduct Commuters, Kill Okada Rider

Armed men suspected to be herdsmen launched a deadly attack on travelers along the Oweto–Apa–Adoka–Otukpo road in Benue State on Friday evening, resulting in multiple abductions and at least one confirmed fatality.

The ambush occurred between Asaba and Olojo, disrupting movement along the busy highway and causing widespread panic among motorists. Witnesses say that several truck drivers and commuters en route in both directions were abducted. One of the victims, a commercial motorcyclist transporting a casket to Agatu, was shot and killed at the scene, his motorcycle and cargo left abandoned on the road.

John Ikwulono, a former chairman of Apa Local Government Area, confirmed the incident to Daily Post, stating that the exact number of casualties and abductees remains unknown.

“Aside from the individual found dead by the roadside, we cannot confirm how many others may have been killed or taken. The attackers fired sporadically, likely targeting those attempting to flee,” Ikwulono noted.

As of press time, attempts to contact the Benue State Police spokesperson, Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful, as calls to her phone went unanswered.

This latest incident adds to the growing security concerns in the state, particularly in areas bordering volatile regions.