Suspected armed herdsmen hijacked a Benue Links bus and kidnapped several female passengers along the Owukpa–Orokam road in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday evening.

The attack occurred around 7 p.m. near the Eyiupi community as the victims were returning from Orba market in Enugu State to Owukpa. According to local sources, the assailants ambushed the vehicle and specifically targeted female passengers, abducting both young and adult women.

One victim who sustained severe gunshot wounds during the attack was abandoned by the kidnappers due to excessive bleeding that could have compromised their location. She is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of St. Mary's Hospital in Okpoga.

Amos Agada, leader of the Owukpa vigilante group, confirmed the incident and stated that as of Sunday morning, the kidnappers had not made contact with any of the victims' families. He added that local security operatives have launched efforts to rescue the abducted women.

Community Leaders Call for Action

Hon. Adikwu Daniel, a community leader who raised the alarm about the incident, has urged the Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Council and security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the victims and establish a sustainable security presence along the route.

"The area has long been a danger zone, and no serious security network is in place to stop or reduce these attacks," Daniel warned in his statement.

The call for action has been copied to the Ada Ogbadibo, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Orokam.

This incident adds to growing concerns about insecurity in Benue State, particularly related to suspected herdsmen attacks. Local residents have repeatedly called for increased security measures along known dangerous routes in the region.

As of the time of this report, security agencies have not issued an official statement regarding the kidnapping, and the search for the abducted passengers continues.