Armed men suspected to be bandits reportedly abducted several passengers along the Ogobia–Adoka road in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident, according to a source, occurred on Sunday evening.

The source said the armed men laid an ambush, forced a fully loaded vehicle off the road into the bush, and shot the driver, identified as Arrow of God from Aila community in Agatu LGA, before leading the passengers into the bush.

Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Mr. Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident but said he could not ascertain the exact number of passengers abducted.

According to Ogiri, “I was told that a passenger vehicle was intercepted along the Ogobia/Adoka road on Saturday, but I cannot say the number of passengers abducted from the vehicle.

“I also learnt that the abductors have been contacting the families of the affected passengers, but I cannot say whether they have been released or not.”

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comment as her phone rang out. (Nigerian Tribune, but headline rejigged)