14 abducted Benue travellers freed after 10 days in captivity

Fourteen travellers who were abducted while journeying from Benue State to the southern part of the country have regained thier freedom.

The victims were released after spending 10 days in captivity.

The travellers were reportedly ambushed on February 9, 2026, along the Utonkon/Okpoga Road in southern Benue.

According to reports, the attackers opened fire when the driver refused to stop, killing two passengers before taking the remaining 14 to an undisclosed location.

Confirming their release, Jairus Awo Otakom, national publicity secretary of the Igede Youth Council (IYC) disclosed that a ransom of N1 million was paid to secure the victims’ freedom.

Otakom, who announced the development on his verified Facebook page, decried the security situation on the Utonkon-Okpoga road, warning that the route must not continue to serve as a “pay-to-pass” corridor for kidnappers.

The council called on the Benue State Government to reimburse the affected families, noting that they had endured both emotional trauma and financial hardship.

The IYC also urged authorities to deploy visible military and police personnel to the area to prevent further attacks.

“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 N1,000,000 paid to the captors. While we celebrate their lives, 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 read.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Edet Udeme, said he would provide further details later.

The incident comes amid ongoing security concerns in the state. Recently, nine worshippers abducted during a night vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church in Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area, were also released.