Fourteen passengers of Igede origin who were abducted along the Utonkon\u2013Okpokwu axis in Benue State have been freed after a reported ransom payment of N1 million.
The victims were part of a 16-member group from Obi and Oju Local Government Areas traveling to the South-West when they were attacked around 7pm on February 9.
During the incident, gunmen allegedly shot at their vehicle after the driver failed to stop, killing two occupants on the spot.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Igede Youth Council, Jairus Awo Otakom, announced their release in a statement shared on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday.
He said, \u201cThe Igede Youth Council officially announces the release of our brothers and sisters who were abducted on February 9, 2026, along the Utonkon-Okpokwu Road. We thank the Almighty for their safe return to their families.\u201d
Otakom disclosed that the ransom was sourced through joint efforts by the victims\u2019 families and the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
\u201cThe families of the victims painstakingly contributed N500,000, which was augmented by a N500,000 contribution from the National Union of Road Transport Workers, totalling one million naira paid to the captors,\u201d he said.
He added, \u201cWhile we celebrate their lives, we remain saddened that ordinary citizens must pay for the security that should be guaranteed by the state.\u201d
The council praised the transport union for its leadership and financial backing, noting that its intervention played a key role in securing the captives\u2019 freedom.
It also appealed to the Benue State Government to reimburse the affected families and strengthen security presence along the Utonkon\u2013Okpokwu corridor to safeguard commuters.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed that the abducted passengers had regained freedom but said he could not confirm the ransom figure.
\u201cYes, I was told that they have been released. On the ransom paid, I don\u2019t have the idea, but no amount of money can equal their lives,\u201d he said.
He added, \u201cRemember, two of them lost their lives, but if ransom was paid to secure the others\u2019 release, I don\u2019t think it is a bad thing, though I don\u2019t know the amount.\u201d
Ominyi decried the recurring security challenges on the road and disclosed plans to meet with neighbouring council chairmen to improve safety measures.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to confirm the report.
\u201cI will get back to you on this report when I get details,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Fourteen passengers of Igede origin who were abducted along the Utonkon\u2013Okpokwu axis in Benue State have been freed after a reported ransom payment of N1 million. The victims were part of a 16-member group from Obi and Oju Local Government Areas traveling to the South-West when they were attacked around 7pm on February 9. During […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4770,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n