Fear grips Benue residents, travellers as kidnappers occupy Owukpa communities

Owukpa, a district in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, has become a den for kidnappers.

At the last count, over ten communities are under siege, with kidnappers unleashing terror on the populace.

Residents of the once serene communities of Ankpa, Odobe, Umufu, Ubafu, Atamaka, Ai-Fam and their surrounding areas are now gripped with fear, as criminal elements terrorise them with impunity.

Sources say that over the past five months, more than 100 persons have fallen victim to kidnappings, with certain routes proving more deadly.

The Aho-Ankpa road and Atakama-Ugbugbu road have gained notoriety as hotspots for the criminal activities.

Also, the Orokam-Owukpa road and Okpoga-Aifam road have witnessed several incidents.

This has raised concerns about the safety of travelers along these routes.

DAILY POST learnt that recently, a family of eight was kidnapped on Atamaka road.

The kidnappers threatened to kill them over the family’s failure to provide the ransom they demanded on time.

The victims, who were held captive for days, recounted their traumatic experience.

Daniel one of the survivors disclosed to Daily Post that the abduction occurred around 2 pm but they reached the kidnappers’ camp by 10 pm.

He told our reporter that the criminals communicated in both Hausa and Fulani languages fluently.