*Demand 15M for release of victims
From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
Six persons have been reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen in Adoka, Otukpo local government area of Benue state.
The incident happened at the weekend. It was learnt that they were traveling for a burial in Okpoga in Okpokwu local government area of the state.
An informant who pleaded anonymity said the persons were travelling from Kano state and had reached Adoka at 8pm when they were abducted and tbe corpse abandoned.
He said Road Safety officials discovered the corpse the next day, handed it over to the police who deposited in a mortuary.
He also said that the kidnappers made contact with family members of the abductees demanding 15 million for their release.
Confirming the incident, in a phone conversation with our correspondent, Otukpo local government chairman Maxwell Ogiri said the driver of the vehicle is his friend.
Said he: “Yes it happened. Incidentally, the driver of the vehicle is my friend. This is the unfortunate incident we are seeing. It is really traumatic. The kidnappers are demanding for 15 million naira.
“But the security agencies are using cordinates to track them. Our vigilante and youths are also, not resting in ensuring that the kidnapped victims are rescued”.
The Benue State Police Public Relations’ Officer DSP Aondongu Orchia also confirmed the incident, which he said happened on Friday.
He said that the police are making efforts to rescue the victims.
