News

Man abducted in Benue while conveying wife’s corpse regains freedom

By Linda Ikeji 4 November 2026, 2:34 pm

An abducted widower and five other victims have regained their freedom in Benue State.

The widower and mourners were abducted by armed men along Adoka Road in Otukpo LGA of the state while conveying his wife's corpse from Kano State to her hometown in Okpoga, Okpokwu LGA on Friday.

According to Daily Trust, the victims regained their freedom on Tuesday night, November 3 after their relatives allegedly paid a ransom of N2.5 million to their captors.

The Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the release of the victims in the early hours of Wednesday.

Ogiri, who spoke with journalists in Makurdi via telephone, said all six victims had regained their freedom but declined to provide further details.

However, an Idoma community social media influencer, Meddy Olotu, also disclosed that the victims were released at about 11pm on Tuesday after a ransom of N2.5 million was paid, against the initial demand of N15 million for the release of the six abductees.

“N2.5 million was paid alongside 10 plates of food delivered to the abductors before the man who took his wife’s corpse from Kano to Benue was released alongside his five friends," he said.

“The guys in the bush said they were hungry, so they demanded both the money and 10 plates of food.”