Abductors Demand N9m for Each Benue Bus Victim as Father Begs for Rescue

A father of two kidnapped passengers from a Benue Links bus has disclosed that their abductors are demanding N9 million for each of his children following Wednesday’s attack along the Makurdi–Otukpo road.

The victims were among travellers seized when armed men intercepted an 18-seater bus en route Otukpo and forced passengers into nearby bush paths. The attackers are suspected armed herdsmen.

The father, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said ransom talks had begun but the demands have fluctuated.

“I have two children that were kidnapped in the bus and they have not released any of them. The kidnappers have opened discussions with us,” he said.

“They initially demanded N10 million for each of my children. Later, they reduced it to N500,000 but shortly after, they called back and insisted it would be N9 million each.”

He said the family lacks the financial capacity to pay and has appealed for urgent intervention.

“We are pleading with the government to comb the bushes and bring back the children… Even if you sell me, I cannot be worth that N9 million being demanded for each of them,” he said.

According to him, the victims were students travelling from Nasarawa State who were abducted after boarding connecting transport through Makurdi.

“My children were coming from school in Nasarawa State… that was when they ran into wrong hands,” he explained.

He urged security agencies to intensify search and rescue operations, saying the family has been left in distress.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command said it has arrested seven suspects in connection with the attack and confirmed that some victims have been rescued during ongoing joint security operations in forested areas of Amla and its environs.

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