Two Igede girls and 12 other passengers have been kidnapped along the Okene Road in what appears to be a major abduction incident involving a Benue Links bus.
Among those taken is Patience Ede from Igbono, Okwutungbe, Ito in Igede, who boarded the bus from Ojo Barracks Park in Lagos heading to Benue for her grandmother’s burial. According to the company’s manifest, all 14 passengers were on board when the incident occurred.
Reports indicate that upon sighting the kidnappers, the driver parked the vehicle and escaped. Everyone on board was subsequently taken into the forest. Vigilantes engaged the kidnappers, leading to an initial escape, but four people, including Patience Ede, were recaptured. One other Igede woman managed to escape and has been taken to the Benue Links park in Otukpo.
Those still in captivity are reported to be all ladies. The kidnappers initially demanded ₦15 million ransom for each victim. Negotiations are ongoing, with one victim reportedly released after her family paid ₦4 million. The family of Patience Ede is pleading for help as she and two other girls remain in captivity.
The incident has sparked urgent calls for assistance, with contacts provided for anyone who can support the affected families.
