Join our WhatsApp channel HERE for the latest Benue news and updates!
A Nigerian female footballer, Ihutu John Rebecca, has been reportedly kidnapped by gunmen along the Benin Expressway, sending shockwaves through the local sports community.
Ihutu John Rebecca, a player in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership with Pacesetter Queens FC, was allegedly abducted while in transit. According to information circulating online and shared by Instablog9ja on March 1, 2026, the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of ₦20 million for her safe release.
The incident has heightened concerns over the safety of athletes and travellers on major highways, particularly in regions prone to armed attacks and abductions. Details surrounding the exact location, time of the abduction, and the number of people involved remain limited, with no official confirmation yet from the police or the Edo State Government.
The footballer’s club, Pacesetter Queens FC, and the NWFL are yet to issue formal statements on the matter. Colleagues, fans, and sports stakeholders have taken to social media to express concern and call for her immediate and safe return.
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilante groups, are believed to have been alerted, though no updates on rescue efforts or negotiations have been made public as of the time of this report.
The abduction of Ihutu John Rebecca adds to a growing list of high-profile kidnappings targeting individuals across Nigeria, renewing calls for improved security on highways and stronger preventive measures to protect citizens.
