Angry Youths Block Enugu-Otukpo Road Over Abduction Of Benue Traders

Angry youths of Benue State have blocked the Enugu-Otukpo Road at Owukpa axis of the state, demanding immediate action from the government to rescue traders abducted by suspected herdsmen over the weekend.

The youths, who blocked the road with logs of wood, expressed determination to get justice for the victims and vowed not to allow anyone to pass through the road until their demands are met. 

"We will not stand idly by while our sisters and mothers are being held captive by these hoodlums," said Terna Angyu, a leader of the protesting youths. "We demand immediate action from the government to rescue our people."

The abduction occurred on Saturday when gunmen suspected to be herdsmen hijacked a fully-loaded Benue Links vehicle and abducted several female passengers, all traders returning from Orba market in Enugu State to Owukpa.

The victims' families have not been contacted since then, sparking widespread outrage in the community, a community source told SaharaReporters.

"We are not going to allow anyone to pass through this road until our demands are met," said Ojong Eter, another protest leader. "We want the government to take concrete steps to rescue our people and ensure their safe return."

The blockade has left many commuters stranded as they anxiously wait for the situation to be resolved. The youths, however, remain resolute in their determination to get justice for the victims.

"We appeal to the government to take immediate action to rescue our people," said a distraught mother of one of the victims. "We are worried sick about their safety and well-being. We want them back home safely."

The protest continues, with the youths refusing to budge until their demands are met. The government has yet to respond to the situation.

Some stranded commuters, who contacted SaharaReporters, have appealed to the federal government to arrest the violent herdsmen and end all forms of criminality in the state.

"We cannot continue this way as a nation. Our vehicle has been trapped here since 8:45 a.m., and even security agencies were not on the ground to protect commuters and other road users. We appeal for urgent intervention," said Chidi Obetta, a commuter.

SaharaReporters gathered that the victims were traders returning from Orba market in Enugu State to Owukpa. Meanwhile, efforts by SaharaReporters to reach the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, was unreachable by phone at the time of filing this report.