Youths in the Owukpa area of Benue State took to the streets on Monday to protest after some traders were kidnapped in their community.

Over the weekend, some gunmen attacked a commercial vehicle belonging to Benue Links. The attackers kidnapped several female passengers who were traveling along the Owukpa–Orokam road in Ogbadibo Local Government Area.

The kidnapping happened around 7 p.m. near the Eyiupi area. The women were returning home to Owukpa after visiting the Orba market in Enugu State.

Eyewitnesses believe the kidnappers are armed herdsmen. They stopped the vehicle on the road, held everyone at gunpoint, and took away both young and older women.

Since the incident, the kidnappers have not contacted the victims’ families or made any demands, leaving everyone in fear and confusion.

The situation made the local youths very angry. To show their frustration, they blocked the Orokam-Owukpa-Okpoga road and called on the government to act quickly to save the kidnapped women.

Because of the protest, people coming from Enugu and nearby towns are stuck, as the youths are not allowing anyone to enter or leave Owukpa until something is done.