Panic as kidnappers take over Benue community, abduct NURTW Chairman, two others

Residents of Otukpa town in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State have been thrown into pandemonium following the pace of kidnapping in the area.

At least three persons have been kidnapped from Otukpa within the past few months.

A source within the community who gave his name simply as Idoko, told our correspondent that the residents of the town now live in fear.

“There has been series of kidnaps in Otukpa. No fewer than three persons have been abducted in less than three months. From the abduction of Obiora Awoke, a car spare part dealer at Otukpa branch, to Mr. Ojo Okpeka, Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Ogbadibo Chapter. And most recently Madam Gab who was kidnapped in Orido,” Idoko told KemiFilaniNews.

It would be recalled that three young men were killed in Otukpa last year while chasing after kidnappers who abducted a popular businesswoman in the area, Anoyi Ijala aka Mercy. She was later freed by the kidnappers after an undisclosed amount was paid as ransom. One of the young men who were killed by her kidnappers was said to be her boyfriend.

Efforts by our correspondent to reach the DPO of Obu-Otukpa Police Station to confirm the recent pace of kidnappings in the town proved abortive as his telephone lines were unreachable as at the time of filing this report.