Kidnappers Release Husband, Five Mourners Abducted While Taking Wife’s Corpse to Benue Burial
Kidnappers have released a man and five other mourners abducted while conveying his late wife’s remains to Benue State for burial, following the reported payment of ₦2.5 million ransom by their families.
The six victims regained their freedom between Tuesday night and the early hours of Wednesday, November 4, days after gunmen intercepted their vehicle along Adoka Road in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.
The victims were reportedly travelling to Okpoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area when the attackers struck at about 8pm on Friday.
The deceased woman was said to have died in Kano, prompting her husband and five other mourners to transport her remains to Benue for burial when they were ambushed.
The kidnappers reportedly abandoned the corpse by the roadside and took the six occupants away, demanding ₦15 million for their release.
However, a source told newsmen that the victims regained their freedom after their families allegedly paid ₦2.5 million to secure their release.
“The six kidnap victims were released early hours of today after family paid ₦2.5 million,” the source said.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said the victims were released between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
“It’s true that the victims were released between Tuesday night and the early hours of Wednesday,” Ogiri said.
However, the council chairman declined to confirm whether ransom was paid to the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command said it had yet to receive official confirmation of the victims’ release.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, said he was still awaiting a report on the development.
“I am yet to get the report of the release of the kidnap victims,” he was quoted as saying.
The circumstances surrounding the release, including whether the reported ransom payment was made, had yet to be officially established by the police.
