Kidnappers release two siblings, dump mother's corpse

Gunmen have released two of the three siblings abducted while conveying the corpse of their mother from Abuja to Benue State for burial, while security operatives continue efforts to rescue the third victim. The three siblings were reportedly abducted around 4 a.m. on Saturday while travelling to Iklenyi Community in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State for their mother’s burial. The abduction occurred between Omutele and Ankpechi along the Ogobia–Otukpo Road in Oglewu District of Ohimini Local Government Area. A resident, who identified himself simply as Elijah, told PUNCH Online on Sunday that the kidnappers released two of the siblings on Saturday night but continued to hold the third captive. According to him, the abductors also released the corpse of the deceased woman to enable the family to proceed with the burial. “The kidnappers released two siblings and dumped the corpse yesterday night (Saturday night) so they could bury their mother. But one of them is still being held,” Elijah said. Related News Nine job-seeking Sokoto youths killed in road crash Four nabbed over alleged kidnapping in Anambra Two abducted Ogun residents freed after ransom payment The Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, confirmed that the abductors had released the corpse. He, however, disclosed that security operatives had been deployed to the forest to rescue the remaining victim. “The corpse has already been taken to Okpokwu for burial. It is one of them that is still with the kidnappers; they are yet to release him. “As we speak (Sunday evening), security operatives, including conventional police officers, soldiers and other security agents, are still in the bush trying to rescue the victim,” Adole said. When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive a report of the incident from the Divisional Police Officer in Ohimini Local Government Area. John Charles