Mourning Family Ambushed in Benue as Gunmen Abduct Three Siblings, Cart Away Mother’s Body

Suspected armed herdsmen have reportedly abducted three siblings travelling with the corpse of their late mother in Benue State, in an incident that has shocked residents and renewed concerns over insecurity along the Ogobia–Otukpo Road.

The siblings were said to be travelling from Abuja to their hometown of Iklenyi in Okpokwu Local Government Area for their mother’s burial when they were intercepted between Omutele and Ankpechi communities in Ohimini Local Government Area during the early hours of Saturday.

According to a source, the family’s journey was prolonged after the vehicle conveying them broke down, forcing them to continue travelling well into the night after repairs were completed.

“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 source explained that the siblings kept in touch with relatives until they arrived at the notorious stretch of road, where communication abruptly ceased after they were allegedly attacked.

“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 disclosed.

Appealing for urgent intervention, the source described the abduction as a heartbreaking tragedy.

“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.

Ohimini Local Government Chairman, Gabriel Adole, confirmed receiving reports of the incident and said he was heading to the affected community to verify the details.

“I have been informed about the incident and I am heading to the area to ascertain exactly what happened,” he stated.

The Benue State Police Command had yet to officially comment on the incident as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were not answered before publication.

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