Gunmen Abduct Three Mourning Siblings, Seize Mother's Corpse in Benue

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Gunmen ambushed three siblings transporting their mother's corpse from Abuja to Benue State, abducting all three and seizing the corpse. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday on the Ogobia–Otukpo Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State. The victims were travelling from Abuja to their hometown, Iklenyi in Okpokwu Local Government Area, LGA, for burial.

According to a source familiar with the incident, the family had encountered difficulties during the journey after their vehicle developed a mechanical fault, delaying their trip until the early hours of the morning. “Even at about 2am they were still on the road because their vehicle had broken down. After repairing it, they continued the journey because they were determined to take their mother’s body home for burial,” the source said.

The three siblings maintained contact with their relatives throughout the trip until they reached the stretch of road between Omutele and Ankpechi communities, where they were allegedly ambushed by armed men. “It was the three of them travelling with the corpse of their mother. When they got to that area, the armed men abducted all three siblings and even took the corpse of their mother into the bush. As we speak, they are still being held,” the source added.

Describing the incident as heartbreaking, the source appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and recover the remains of the deceased. “It is painful that a family already grieving the loss of their mother has been subjected to this ordeal. They kidnapped not only the children but also took the corpse of a dead woman. We appeal to the security agencies to act swiftly and ensure their safe rescue,” the source said.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Mr. Gabriel Adole, said he had received reports of the abduction and was on his way to the affected community to obtain firsthand information. “I have been informed about the incident and I am heading to the area to ascertain exactly what happened,” Adole said.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

A family in Benue State has been left reeling after three of its siblings were abducted while transporting their mother's corpse from Abuja. The incident highlights the growing insecurity in the region, with many families unable to safely transport their loved ones’ remains for burial.

Gunmen ambushed the siblings at around 2 am on Saturday on the Ogobia–Otukpo Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State. According to sources, the siblings were able to maintain contact with relatives until they reached the affected area, where they were abducted along with their mother's corpse. The family had been travelling from Abuja to their hometown, Iklenyi in Okpokwu Local Government Area, LGA, for burial.

The incident has left the family in a state of anguish, with many calling for swift action from security agencies to rescue the abducted siblings and recover the remains of the deceased. The family's ordeal underscores the growing insecurity in the region, where many families have been unable to safely transport their loved ones' remains for burial.

Ohimini Local Government Chairman, Mr. Gabriel Adole, is heading to the affected community to obtain firsthand information about the incident. He confirmed that reports of the abduction had been received, but said he needed to verify the details before making any further statement.

DSP Udeme Edet, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, was unreachable at the time of filing this report.

A family in Benue State is praying for the safe return of three siblings abducted while transporting their mother's corpse from Abuja. The incident has left the family in a state of anguish, with many calling for swift action from security agencies to rescue the abducted siblings and recover the remains of the deceased.