Nigeria: Kidnappers Release Six Benue Mourners, Including Man Conveying Dead Wife's Body

Six mourners, including a man conveying his deceased wife's remains for burial, have regained freedom after spending several days in the hands of kidnappers who abducted them along Adoka Road in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to The PUNCH on Wednesday, the victims were released in the early hours of the day after their families reportedly paid N2.5 million ransom. The kidnappers had initially demanded N15 million for the release of the six abductees, who were seized at about 8pm on Friday while travelling from Kano to Okpoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area.

A source familiar with the development disclosed that the victims regained their freedom after their families made the payment.

"The six kidnap victims were released early hours of today after family paid N2.5 million," the source said.

Confirming the development, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said the victims were released between Tuesday night and the early hours of Wednesday. He, however, declined to comment on whether ransom was paid to secure their freedom.

"It's true that the victims were released between Tuesday night and the early hours of Wednesday," he said.

However, the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, said he had yet to receive confirmation of their release when contacted.

"I am yet to get the report of the release of the kidnap victims," he said.

On Monday, SaharaReporters reported that gunmen abducted six persons who were conveying the corpse of a woman to Okpoga for burial after intercepting their vehicle along Adoka Road in Otukpo Local Government Area.

The husband of the deceased was among those abducted.