Bandits intercept travelers in Benue community, abduct 6, demand N100 million ransom

Bandits struck on Tuesday and abducted 6 travellers along the Makurdi-Naka road in Gwer West Local Government of Benue State.

The incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday, February 17 2026, at Kula village of about 20-minute drive to Makurdi, the State capital and are demanding the sum of N100 million ransom for their release.

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A victim’s relative who craved anonymity for fear of attack narrated that the passengers left Ilorin for Makurdi and slept at Ankpa when it was getting dark for the obvious insecurity on the road from Ankpa to Makurdi.

“And when it was night, they spent the night in Ankpa, Kogi state due to insecurity along the road.

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He said “They were seven in the vehicle and left Ankpa early hours of today (Tuesday) but their vehicle was intercepted at Kula village about 20 minutes drive to Makurdi.

“One of the passengers escaped while the six others, three males and three females were whisked away by the kidnappers.”

The source said the suspected kidnappers have demanded ₦100 million ransom for the release of the six victims.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Gwer West Local Government, Victor Omnin said the incident happened early hours of Tuesday along Naka/Makurdi road.

The chairman said, “It’s true, I have confirmed the abduction of the people. I was told that the incident happened around 5am this morning, they said the people were going on convoy before they ran into bandits who abducted some of them.

“The incident happened closed to Makurdi but along Naka/Makurdi road. I don’t have the number of people abducted.”
The incident happened barely one week after 23 persons, including nine worshipers, were abducted at separate incidents in Ado and Okpokwu LGs of the state.

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