Six individuals conveying a corpse from Kano to Okpoga in Benue State were intercepted and abducted by armed men along the Adoka-Otukpo Road, leaving the casket and remains behind in the abandoned vehicle. The tragic incident unfolded at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Friday as the mourners journeyed to lay their deceased relative to rest in the Okpokwu Local Government Area.
Key details from the incident indicate that the attack occurred in the Adoka district, where the travellers were ambushed by the hoodlums. Following the interception, all six occupants of the vehicle were marched into captivity, while the corpse of the woman was left unattended in the automobile. Personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) later discovered the abandoned body on Saturday morning, transferring it to the local police division before moving it to a morgue.
Why did the kidnappers abandon the corpse?
The abductors chose to leave the casket behind while forcing the living passengers into the forest. Days after the incident, the captors established contact with the grieving relatives, placing a steep financial demand for the freedom of the hostages.
Activist and citizen journalist Meddy Olotu brought the event to public attention via a video shared online, urging security forces to act swiftly. Olotu stated, "Last night, I spoke with one of the family members, who said the kidnappers had been calling. Fortunately, he understands Hausa and has been able to communicate with them." He noted that the captors have pressed for a 15 million Naira ransom for the release of the victims still held as of Monday.
The double tragedy has plunged the family into deep despair as they grapple with the sudden loss of their relative alongside the harrowing detention of their loved ones. Repeated attempts by journalists to obtain comments from the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Orchia Peter Aondong, yielded no response as of the time of filing this report.