Some victims abducted along the Otukpo–Ogobia Road in Benue State have regained their freedom after suspected kidnappers released the vehicle driver, the remains of an elderly woman and one of her three children.
The gunmen, however, continue to hold two other siblings hostage and have reportedly demanded a ransom of N30 million for their release.
It was gathered that the family had been travelling from Abuja to Oklenyi in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State to bury their late mother when their vehicle developed a mechanical fault along the Otukpo–Ogobia Road.
While the occupants were stranded, armed men reportedly attacked the family and whisked them away into captivity.
Sources within the family disclosed that the kidnappers later released the driver, handed over the corpse of the deceased woman and freed one of her children.
The woman’s remains have since been taken to Okpoga, where burial arrangements and funeral rites are ongoing.
Despite the partial release, two members of the family remain in captivity. Family sources said the abductors have contacted relatives and are insisting on a N30 million ransom before the remaining victims can be set free.
Relatives are reportedly making efforts to raise the money while appealing to security agencies to intensify operations aimed at rescuing the captives.
The incident has left the family with mixed emotions as they proceed with the burial of their late mother while anxiously awaiting the safe return of the two siblings still being held by the kidnappers.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
