In a shocking turn of events, armed assailants ambushed three fully loaded 15-seater commercial buses along the Otukpo-Enugu Road in Orokam, Benue State, abducting approximately 45 passengers in broad daylight. The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 pm on Thursday, January 11, 2024.
Eyewitnesses, including a fortunate driver who narrowly escaped the ambush, revealed that the gunmen emerged from nearby forests in Orokam, forcing the drivers to halt at gunpoint. The assailants strategically targeted commercial buses, perhaps aiming to exploit the larger number of passengers for ransom.
The eyewitness described a heavily built young man brandishing an automatic rifle and a chain of bullets as the first to emerge from the bush. Three armed men in total orchestrated the ambush, seizing passengers from the buses heading toward Otukpo.
The quick thinking of one driver, who managed to evade capture by fleeing into the bush with his passengers, prevented further casualties. Soldiers on motorbikes and a hilux van later arrived, inquiring about the whereabouts of the armed assailants and their victims.
Reports indicate that negotiations for the release of the abducted passengers have already commenced, with the armed men initially demanding N15 million ransom per passenger. However, negotiations reportedly settled at N3 million for each hostage.
The incident underscores the escalating security concerns along the Benue-Enugu Road and raises questions about the efficacy of existing security measures. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this brazen daylight abduction, concerns about the safety of travelers in the region loom large.
