Youths in Owukpa, Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State, on Monday staged a protest over the recent abduction of traders in the area.
The protest follows the hijacking of a Benue Links vehicle by suspected armed men over the weekend along the Owukpa–Orokam road. The assailants reportedly abducted several female passengers, including both young and adult women, who were returning from Orba market in Enugu State to Owukpa.
The incident occurred around 7:00 p.m. near the Eyiupi community. The attackers, believed to be armed herdsmen, intercepted the vehicle and forcibly took the passengers to an unknown destination.
As of the time of filing this report, the kidnappers have yet to make contact with the victims’ families or issue any ransom demands.
In response, angry youths barricaded the Orokam-Owukpa-Okpoga road, calling on the government to intervene and secure the release of the abducted individuals.
The protest has disrupted movement in the area, leaving travelers from Enugu and nearby communities stranded, as the youths vowed not to allow entry or exit into Owukpa until the victims are rescued.