The Benue State government has confirmed the abduction of 10 passengers from two Benue Links vehicles near Okene, Kogi State, on their way to Lagos on Sunday.
The Government has also said that 20 others, including two drivers and 18 other passengers, that were part of the incident are safe and have reached their destination, Lagos.
The kidnappers are said to have made contact with family members of the abducted persons, demanding an undisclosed amount of money as ransom.
Confirming the incident to ait.live, the Commissioner for Power, Energy, and Transport in the state, Omale Omale, said the state government has reached out to the Benue State Police Command to liaise with its Kogi state counterpart, to ensure the safe return of the abducted persons”
Omale said, “Incidentally, as we speak now, no life has been lost and with the help of the vigilante and the police, we were able to secure the two buses, two drivers, and 18 passengers”
“On Monday, 11th 2023, the police certified that the people were psychologically fit to travel and released them with the drivers to proceed to Lagos and we can confirm that they have arrived safely in Lagos.
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“However, 10 of the passengers are still in the kidnappers’ den.”
He said the Acting General Manager of Benue Links gave them the report and the government is on top of the situation and the state government on its part government is making efforts to secure the release of the victims.
(Editor Oloyede Oworu)
