Gunmen take over Benin-Okene highway, hijack 25 travelers


Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, Thursday went on rampage on the Benin-Okene express way in Edo State, killed one person and abducted 25 travelers.

The gunmen were said to have come out from the bush and forced a commercial bus to  stop at gun point.

A truck driver who refused to stop after he was flagged down by the gunmen was said to have  rammed into a bus at the scene and  killed one person.

VerityNews gathered that the incident caused confusion in the ever-busy road as some motorists abandoned their vehicles and fled into the bush.

The development  reportedly caused traffic gridlock for hours as owners of the abandoned vehicles were nowhere to be found even after the gunmen have left scene.

A witness who craved for anonymity said the incident occurred at Obagie Community in  Uhunmwonde local government area of the state.

The eyewitness disclosed that the gunmen killed a man suspected to be  a member of a local vigilante.
Edo State Police spokesman, SP,  Chidi Nwabuzo confirmed the incident, adding:  “the command is aware of the kidnap. But we are yet to ascertain the number of passengers that were kidnapped”.

According to Nwabuzor, “The vigilante group in that community engaged the kidnappers and one (vigilante member) was killed. 

“Effort is currently ongoing through bush-combing to free those kidnapped. Other information will be revealed as we progress,” he stated.