Armed Men Abduct Three Mourning Siblings, Seize Mother's Remains Along Benue Highway

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

In a heart-wrenching incident that has stunned the nation, three siblings travelling from Abuja to Benue State to bury their late mother have been abducted by suspected gunmen, who also seized the corpse of the deceased and fled into the bush. The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday, July 18, 2026, along the Ogobia–Otukpo Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, between the communities of Omutele and Ankpechi in Oglewu District. The victims were transporting the remains of their mother, who died in Abuja, to Iklenyi community in neighbouring Okpokwu Local Government Area for burial when they were ambushed. The abduction has sent shockwaves through the region, compounding the grief of a family already mourning the loss of their matriarch.

According to multiple reports from Newswatch, Daily Post, Tribune Online, and Vanguard, the family's journey had been plagued by misfortune from the outset. The vehicle conveying the siblings and their mother's body developed a mechanical fault along the way, leaving the occupants stranded on the roadside until the early hours of Saturday morning. "Even at about 2 a.m., they were still on the road because their vehicle had broken down. After repairing it, they continued the journey because they were determined to take their mother's body home for burial," a source familiar with the incident told Vanguard. The siblings had maintained contact with relatives throughout the trip, providing updates on their progress until they reached the fateful stretch of road between Omutele and Ankpechi.

Residents of the area told reporters they heard sporadic gunshots between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., prompting many to flee their homes in fear. "We heard sporadic gunshots between 3 and 4 a.m. today (Saturday) and we thought it was the Fulani herdsmen that were attacking our community," a native of Omutele community, who identified himself as Elijah, told Tribune Online. "But when day broke, we learnt that gunmen kidnapped some people who were escorting the corpse of their mother from Abuja to Iklenyi community." By the time the community realised what had happened, the armed men had already abducted all three siblings and taken the corpse of their mother into the bush.

A source who spoke to Leadership newspaper described the scene with anguish: "It was the three of them travelling with the corpse of their mother. When they got to that area, the armed men abducted all three siblings and even took the corpse of their mother into the bush. As we speak, they are still being held." The source appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and recover the remains of the deceased. "It is painful that a family already grieving the loss of their mother has been subjected to this ordeal. They kidnapped not only the children but also took the corpse of a dead woman. We appeal to the security agencies to act swiftly and ensure their safe rescue," the source added.

The Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, confirmed the incident and said he was on his way to the scene to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the abduction. "Yes, I'm going to the scene now to ascertain what really happened," Adole told Newswatch. However, the Benue State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the incident as of the time of filing this report. Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages went unanswered. The police spokesperson later told Tribune Online that she had yet to receive a report from the Divisional Police Officer of Ohimini LGA and promised to call back once she had details, but she had not responded by the time of publication.

The abduction of the three siblings and their mother's corpse has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over the escalating insecurity on major highways in Benue State and the North-Central region. The incident comes just weeks after a similar attack in which gunmen ambushed a convoy conveying the remains of a late FRSC Deputy Corps Commander, Augustine Ikwue, along the Ochadamu–Ejule road in Kogi State. In that incident, mourners were abducted and the corpse was briefly seized before being abandoned and recovered for burial. The recurrence of such attacks on grieving families has highlighted the growing brutality of criminal gangs operating in the region and the urgent need for enhanced security measures.

Citizen journalist Meddy Olotu, who first brought the incident to public attention through a video shared on social media, advised Nigerians to avoid travelling at night due to the increasing insecurity on major highways. "If you're using Nigerian roads at this time, please be very careful. Even travelling during the day is no longer safe, let alone at night. If your journey is not absolutely necessary, stay where you are," Olotu cautioned. He also condemned the alleged actions of the kidnappers, saying the incident reflected the alarming level of cruelty among criminal gangs. "It is sad that these criminals no longer have sympathy or conscience. Imagine kidnapping people conveying the corpse of their mother and even taking away the body," he said.

The attack on the siblings has once again exposed the vulnerability of travellers in Benue State, where armed groups, including suspected herdsmen and bandits, have continued to operate with impunity along major roads. The Ogobia–Otukpo Road, a critical link between the northern and southern parts of the state, has become a hotspot for kidnappings and armed robberies, with travellers frequently falling victim to criminal elements. The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of security patrols on the route and the ability of authorities to protect citizens from such brazen attacks.

As the search for the abducted siblings and the recovery of their mother's remains continues, the family and the wider community remain in a state of anguish and uncertainty. The Chairman of Ohimini LGA has assured the public that he is working to obtain firsthand information and coordinate with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the victims. However, with no official confirmation from the police and no arrests announced, the fate of the three siblings and their mother's body hangs in the balance. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the deepening security crisis in Nigeria, where even the solemn duty of burying a loved one has become a perilous undertaking.

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