Suspected armed bandits have reportedly kidnapped 14 passengers travelling from communities in the Igede area of Oju and Obi Local Government Areas in Benue State.

The travellers were said to be heading toward the South-West when their vehicle was attacked around 7 p.m. on Monday along the Okpokwu axis of the state. During the incident, two passengers were allegedly shot dead.

The attack occurred less than two days after nine worshippers were abducted during a night vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon, located in Ado LGA.

According to a local source who spoke by phone from Makurdi, the passengers had departed from Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA when gunmen intercepted their vehicle along the Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga road. The attackers reportedly forced the vehicle to stop and marched the passengers into the bush.

The source explained that one of the victims was shot when the driver initially refused to halt the vehicle.

Confirming the development, the Chairman of Oju LGA, Jackson Ominyi, said he had been informed that two people lost their lives in the attack. He added that security agencies, including personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), had been contacted regarding the incident.

Efforts to reach officials in Okpokwu LGA were ongoing at the time of the report.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Udeme Edet, neither confirmed nor denied the incident, stating that she would verify the information. As of the time this report was filed, no further update had been provided.

The recent wave of attacks has heightened concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Benue State.