Fourteen passengers kidnapped in Benue State, Nigeria, have been freed after a ransom was paid, following a tragic incident where two others were killed during the abduction.
In a distressing incident that unfolded on February 9, 2026, fourteen passengers from the Igede community in Nigeria's Benue State were abducted along the Utonkon–Okpokwu Road. Tragically, two of their companions were shot and killed by the kidnappers when their driver refused to stop the vehicle. This attack has highlighted the ongoing issue of kidnapping for ransom in the region, a crime that continues to instill fear among travelers and local communities alike. The incident occurred while the passengers were en route to the South-West, underscoring the threats faced by people using major transportation routes.
