Gunmen Abduct Six Travellers in Benue, Demand N100 Million Ransom

Barely a week after gunmen abducted 23 persons, including nine worshippers, in separate incidents in Ado and Okpokwu Local Government Areas of Benue State, another attack has occurred. This time, six travellers were kidnapped along the Makurdi–Naka Road in Gwer West Local Government Area.
Sources disclosed that the latest abduction took place in the early hours of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Kula village, about 20 minutes’ drive from Makurdi, the state capital.

A relative of one of the victims, who requested anonymity for fear of possible reprisals, explained that the travellers had departed Ilorin for Makurdi on Monday. Due to insecurity along the route, they reportedly spent the night in Ankpa, Kogi State, before resuming their journey early Tuesday morning.
According to the source, seven persons were in the vehicle when it was intercepted by gunmen at Kula village. One passenger managed to escape, while the remaining six—three men and three women—were taken away by the kidnappers. The abductors are said to have demanded a ransom of N100 million for their release.
Confirming the development, Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area, Victor Omnin, said the incident occurred around 5 a.m. along the Naka/Makurdi road. While acknowledging the abduction, he noted he did not have the exact number of victims. However, the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, stated that the command had yet to receive an official report on the incident.