Grief turns to horror as suspected herdsmen abduct three siblings, mother's corpse in Benue

By Benedicta Aboh

Three siblings conveying the remains of their late mother from Abuja to Benue State for burial have reportedly been abducted by suspected armed herdsmen along the Ogobia-Otukpo Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

The victims were said to have been travelling to Iklenyi community in Okpokwu Local Government Area for their mother's burial when they were ambushed between Omutele and Ankpechi communities in the early hours of Saturday during a heavy downpour.

A source close to the family disclosed that the journey had already been delayed after the vehicle conveying the siblings and the corpse developed a mechanical fault.

According to the source, the family remained in contact with the travellers until about 2 a.m., when they informed relatives that they had fixed the vehicle and resumed the journey.

"They were determined to take their mother's remains back to the village for burial despite the delay. They kept updating their family members as they travelled," the source said.

The source explained that communication with the victims was lost after they reached the Omutele-Ankpechi axis of the Ogobia-Otukpo Road, where they were allegedly intercepted by armed men.

"It was the three children and the corpse of their mother. They were kidnapped together and taken into the bush. As we speak, both the victims and the remains of their mother are still with the kidnappers," the source said.

Describing the incident as both shocking and tragic, the source appealed to security agencies to launch an immediate rescue operation.

"It is heartbreaking that a family mourning the death of their mother is now facing another tragedy. Imagine abducting grieving children along with the corpse of their mother. We appeal to the security agencies to rescue them without delay," the source added.

When contacted, Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Mr. Gabriel Adole, confirmed receiving reports of the incident.

"I have been briefed about the development and I am on my way to the community to get firsthand information on what actually happened," Adole said.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached when contacted.

The latest incident has heightened concerns over the worsening insecurity along the Ogobia-Otukpo Road, where residents and motorists have repeatedly raised alarm over frequent attacks and kidnappings by suspected armed herders.