Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A journey of grief turned into a nightmare of unimaginable horror when three siblings transporting their mother's remains from Abuja to Benue State for burial were ambushed and abducted by armed men who seized not only the mourners but also the corpse of the deceased. In a development that has left the community in shock, two of the siblings were released on Saturday night along with their mother's body, while one remains in captivity, and security forces have launched a desperate rescue operation in the dense forests of Ohimini Local Government Area.
The three siblings were travelling to Iklenyi Community in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State for their mother's burial when they were abducted at about 4 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The incident occurred between Omutele and Ankpechi along the Ogobia–Otukpo Road in Oglewu District of Ohimini Local Government Area. According to sources familiar with the incident, the family had encountered difficulties during the journey after their vehicle developed a mechanical fault, delaying their trip until the early hours of the morning. “Even at about 2am 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 said.
The siblings maintained contact with their relatives throughout the trip until they reached the stretch of road between Omutele and Ankpechi communities, where they were allegedly ambushed by armed men. “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,” a source added, describing the incident as heartbreaking.
In a surprising turn, the kidnappers released two of the siblings on Saturday night and abandoned the corpse of their late mother, while one victim remains in captivity. Speaking with journalists on Sunday, a resident of the community who identified himself simply as Elijah said, “The kidnappers released two siblings and dumped the corpse on Saturday night so they could bury their mother. But one of them is still being held”.
The Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, confirmed the development, saying the mother's remains had been taken to Okpokwu for burial. He added that security personnel had moved into the forest in search of the remaining victim. “The corpse has been taken to Okpokwu for burial. It is one of the siblings that is still with the kidnappers; they are yet to release him. As we speak on Sunday evening, conventional police officers, soldiers and other security agencies are in the bush trying to rescue the victim,” Adole said.
However, conflicting reports from other sources suggest that the kidnappers released the driver, handed over the deceased woman's body, and released one of the siblings, but are still holding two of the siblings and demanding a N30 million ransom for their release. Family members told Idoma Voice that the kidnappers later freed the driver, handed over the deceased woman's body, and released one of the siblings. The abductors have established contact and are demanding ₦30 million before the remaining victims can regain their freedom. Relatives are said to be working tirelessly to raise the ransom while also urging security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the captives.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said the Command had yet to receive an official report of the incident from the Divisional Police Officer in Ohimini Local Government Area.
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 has also raised questions about the effectiveness of security patrols on the Ogobia–Otukpo Road and the ability of authorities to protect citizens from such brazen attacks.
As the search for the abducted sibling continues, the family and the wider community remain in a state of anguish and uncertainty. 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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