Six Benue mourners freed after N2.5m ransom paid

Release of the abducted mourners

On 4 November 2026, a husband and five other people who were carrying his wife’s body from Kano State to her hometown in Okpoga, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, were freed after a ransom of N2.5 million was paid to their captors. The kidnapping took place around 8 pm on Friday night on Adoka Road in Otukpo Local Government Area, only about an hour’s drive from the destination.

According to witnesses, the group was intercepted by armed men who seized the vehicle and demanded a N15 million ransom for the release of the six abductees. The kidnappers left the corpse on the highway and then demanded the higher sum. Families of the victims reportedly negotiated with the captors and paid N2.5 million, along with ten plates of food, to secure the release of the husband and his five companions.

The victims were freed between Tuesday night and the early hours of Wednesday morning, as confirmed by the Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, who spoke to journalists on the telephone. Ogiri said the six people had regained their freedom but did not provide details on the payment.

Background

The incident unfolded as the group was returning from Kano after the wife’s death. The corpse had been transported in a vehicle that was intercepted by gunmen on Adoka Road. The kidnappers abandoned the body on the highway and demanded a ransom. The initial demand was reported as N15 million, a figure that was later reduced to N2.5 million after negotiations and the provision of food.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Benue command, DSP Peter Aondongu, had not yet confirmed the release of the victims at the time of reporting. He was reportedly attending a function outside the state capital when the story was filed.

Why it matters

The release of the six mourners highlights the ongoing security challenges in Benue State, where armed kidnapping for ransom remains a serious concern. The incident underscores the vulnerability of civilians transporting goods or, in this case, a deceased person, and the high costs families may incur to secure the safety of their loved ones.

The ransom paid—N2.5 million—was a significant sum for the families involved and reflects the financial burden that kidnapping victims and their relatives often face. The reduction from the initial N15 million demand also illustrates the potential for negotiation in such situations, although it does not eliminate the threat posed by armed kidnappers.

What happens next

The police have not yet released a formal statement confirming the release of the victims, and the incident remains under investigation. No further details have been provided regarding the identity of the kidnappers or whether they have been apprehended. The families of the abducted mourners have not commented publicly on the outcome beyond acknowledging the payment of the ransom.

The incident serves as a reminder of the need for enhanced security measures along major roads in Benue State and the importance of community vigilance against armed robbery and kidnapping.