Numerous travelers, including a medical doctor and his son, were reportedly abducted in Otukpa, Benue State, along the Enugu-Makurdi Federal Road.
The heart-wrenching event took place as the victims were traveling from Abuja and other northern states to Enugu, presumably to spend the Christmas holidays with their loved ones. The audacity of the attackers is underscored by the fact that they struck despite the supposed security measures in place, with military and police checkpoints stationed at regular intervals along the federal road.
The gunmen seized all occupants from approximately six vehicles heading from Abuja and other northern states to Enugu.
Among the victims of this appalling incident is a medical doctor and his son, adding a poignant human element to the tragedy. The identities and backgrounds of the other abducted individuals remain largely unknown, but their plight highlights the indiscriminate nature of such attacks, which affect people from various walks of life.
The brazen abduction, occurring in an area supposedly under the watchful eye of security forces, raises significant questions about the effectiveness of existing security measures. The presence of military and police checkpoints, which are intended to deter criminal activities, seems to have been insufficient to prevent this audacious attack. The incident calls for a critical examination of the state of security along major travel routes during festive seasons when criminal elements often take advantage of increased traffic.
According to SaharaReporters, the kidnapping occurred on Thursday evening, despite the presence of several military and police checkpoints positioned at regular intervals along the route.
Otukpa, a community bordering Amalla Egazi in Enugu State, holds the headquarters of the Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Reports indicate that gunmen seized all occupants from approximately six vehicles heading from Abuja and other northern states to Enugu.
Among those abducted were Dr. Emma Okolo from Niger State General Hospital, his son, and a woman named Ego Okozo from Umanaa Ndiagu in the Ezeagu local government area of Enugu State. They were unfortunate victims captured and taken into the bush on Thursday.
A family member, confirming the incident to journalists, mentioned their plans to return home for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, highlighting their connections to the Ezeagu community in Minna, Niger State.
Another source, identified as Okey Eze, said that the medical doctor was traveling with family members in a Sienna vehicle when the armed assailants attacked and abducted them.
“His wife was not taken, but himself, his son, and the young lady were taken in his vehicle. His vehicle has been towed to Enugu.”
Meanwhile, the family source disclosed that the gunmen had contacted the wife and were demanding a N50 million ransom.
Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful as the Command’s spokesperson, SP Anene Sewuese Catherine, didn’t respond to text message inquiries.
She had earlier told our reporter on the telephone that she was in a noisy place and requested that a text message be sent to her which the report responded accordingly.
However, as at the time of filing this report, she had yet to respond to the text message.
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