Terror on Benue Highway: 14 Passengers Abducted in Broad Daylight!

 

In a chilling turn of events, gunmen have abducted 14 passengers along the Makurdi–Naka–Adoka road in Benue State. The attack occurred on the morning of Thursday, April 24, 2025, just about 3 kilometers from Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area.

According to eyewitnesses, the victims were traveling in two commercial vehicles—a Toyota Picnic and a Volkswagen Sharon—each carrying 12 passengers. One of the drivers, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, confirmed the attack.

Yakubu Onu, Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), High-Level Unit in Makurdi, told Punch that both vehicles were operated by union members from the High-Level Park in Makurdi.

He revealed that the first vehicle was en route to Lokoja when it was ambushed near Naka, and six passengers were taken into the bush. The second vehicle, coming from Ankpa in Kogi State and heading to Makurdi, was also attacked at the same spot, with eight passengers abducted.

Onu added that three passengers from the Lokoja-bound vehicle were left behind, along with the driver, who later reported the incident to the police station in Naka. However, after filing the report, the driver continued his journey, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.

The traditional ruler of Naka, HRH Daniel Abomtse, also confirmed the attack. He said the assailants spared an elderly woman, a breastfeeding mother, and some children, along with one of the drivers.

The monarch pointed to the dangerous state of the area, stating that the incident occurred at Okpa, near Adoka, a known flashpoint between Gwer West and Otukpo LGAs. He highlighted the presence of ungoverned spaces in the region that have become hideouts for criminal elements.

He called on the Federal Government to take decisive action, suggesting an aerial survey of the vulnerable coastal areas of Benue and Nasarawa States to help flush out the bandits terrorizing the region.