Gunmen have abducted six travellers, among them four members of the Ansaarudeen Islamic Society, along the Makurdi-Naka road in Benue State, with the kidnappers allegedly demanding N100 million ransom for their freedom.
The abduction reportedly took place in the early hours of Tuesday near Kula village, about 20 minutes’ drive from Makurdi, when the victims’ vehicle was ambushed by armed men.
A family member of one of the abductees, who requested anonymity, said the travellers were moving in a convoy after departing Naka around 5am when they encountered the attackers.
He disclosed that the group, comprising three men and three women, had travelled from Ilorin on Monday but arrived late and decided to lodge for the night.
They were said to have resumed their journey at daybreak before running into the assailants.
“What we used to hear about kidnappings has now become our reality. Four of our Ansaarudeen members were taken this morning along the Makurdi-Naka road.
The abductors have reached out and are demanding N100 million. We are currently praying for their safe return,” the source said.
According to him, the kidnappers contacted the families about two hours after the incident and issued the ransom demand.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area, Victor Ormin, said he had received reports of the incident.
“I can confirm that travellers were abducted after leaving Naka around 5am in a convoy.
They reportedly ran into bandits along the Naka-Makurdi road close to Makurdi. However, I cannot immediately confirm the number involved,” he stated.
Meanwhile, families of the victims have begun negotiations in a bid to secure their release.
One of the husbands of the abducted women said efforts were ongoing to raise the demanded sum.
“It is not easy, but we are discussing possible ways to meet their demand while praying for their safe return,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Udeme Edet, had yet to respond to enquiries on the incident.