3 siblings abducted in Benue while traveling with mother’s corpse from Abuja

Three siblings travelling with the body of their late mother from Abuja to Benue State for burial were reportedly abducted by armed gunmen during the early hours of Saturday.

According to reports, the incident occurred between Omutele and Ankpechi in Oglewu District at approximately 4:00 a.m. The assailants allegedly intercepted the victims' vehicle along the Ogobia–Otukpo Road in Ohimini Local Government Area, Benue State.

The incident is the second reported attack within one week involving mourners transporting a deceased relative for burial, raising renewed concerns about insecurity along roads connecting Benue State with neighbouring states.

A resident of the Omutele community, identified only as Elijah, said residents were awakened by gunfire between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Initially believing the sounds signaled an attack on the community, they later learned that the victims were members of a family conveying their mother's body from Abuja to Iklenyi Community in Okpokwu Local Government Area for burial.

A video circulating on social media alleged that the family's vehicle developed a mechanical fault, leaving them stranded on the highway before the attackers struck. However, this claim has not been independently verified.

At the time of reporting, it was unclear whether the deceased's body was also taken during the attack.

The incident follows another reported attack a week earlier, when armed assailants allegedly ambushed a funeral convoy transporting the remains of Augustine Ikwue, a late Deputy Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, along the Ochadamu–Ejule Road in Kogi State. During that incident, nine mourners were reportedly abducted, while the deceased's body was later recovered after being abandoned by the attackers.

***The reported abduction underscores continuing security concerns affecting travellers on major roads in parts of North-Central Nigeria, particularly those journeying to attend funeral ceremonies. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident and intensify security measures along vulnerable routes.

NOTES:

The details in this report are based on media reports and eyewitness accounts available at the time of writing. Official confirmation from security agencies may provide additional information or clarification.

Claims that the victims' vehicle developed a mechanical fault before the attack originated from a video circulating on social media and had not been independently verified at the time of reporting.

The reported attack is the second widely reported incident within one week involving mourners travelling with a deceased relative, highlighting broader concerns about road security in the region.