A group of women from the Tyomu community in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State took to the streets, blocking the Makurdi-Gboko Highway to demand the release of 18 community members who were abducted on Friday. The victims were reportedly kidnapped while traveling to Kogi State for a burial. The women called on the state government to secure the release of their community members.
According to one of the protesters, Doshima, the abductors have demanded N30 million in ransom, and the residents have raised and paid N3 million, but the victims are yet to be released. The incident has sparked widespread concern, with many calling for the government to take action to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Security Adviser to the governor on Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, confirmed the incident, but said the actual number of people kidnapped was unknown. He added that the incident had been reported to the relevant security agencies, which are already working on it. Har also expressed concern about the timing of the trip, saying that traveling to Kogi State at night is a concern due to the security situation along that route.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, accused the transport company that conveyed the victims of not reporting the incident to security agencies. Iorpev said that the police got to know of the incident through Tuesday's protest. He advised transport companies to always notify the security agencies and the families of people involved for prompt response.
The state command spokesperson, Peter Aondongu, said that the police had not received any formal report about the kidnapping, but that its operatives on patrol along the route at the weekend sighted an abandoned vehicle and suspected that its occupants might have been taken away. The police have since calmed the situation at Tyomu and cleared the road, allowing motorists and other road users to move freely.
The Information Commissioner expressed the assurance of the Commissioner of Police to lead his team to see what could be done to resolve the matter in the shortest possible time. He appealed to the protesting community for patience as security operatives work to rescue the victims. The government has promised to do something as soon as possible to address the situation.
The abduction has raised concerns about the security situation in Benue State, with many calling for the government to take action to protect its citizens. The incident is a reminder of the need for vigilance and cooperation between the government and the community to prevent such incidents.
Key points
- The abduction of 18 residents, including eight women, has sparked widespread concern and calls for government action.
- The transport company that conveyed the victims has been accused of not reporting the incident to security agencies.
- The government has promised to work to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
