David Obiorah

Two passengers, including a newlywed bride and a trader, who were abducted alongside six Nigerian Law School students during a recent attack along the Benue-Taraba border, are still being held by the kidnappers.

The victims were part of a group of 11 passengers  including the driver  who were travelling from Anambra State to Yola, Adamawa State, and onward to Cameroon when gunmen intercepted their bus and whisked them into captivity.

While six law students and four other passengers have since regained their freedom after reportedly paying ₦10 million each as ransom, the newlywed woman, identified as Mmesoma from Umunya, and a trader known as Chimezie from Umudioka remain in the custody of the abductors.

One of the freed victims, David Obiorah, a law school student, confirmed the situation and made a public appeal for urgent action.

“The girl just got married this January. She was on her way to reunite with her husband in Cameroon,” Obiorah said. “Chimezie is a trader, also heading to Cameroon. We’re appealing to the government and public not to abandon them. They also deserve to be rescued.”

Obiorah also revealed that the kidnappers still retain his mobile phone SIM card, which they refused to return despite receiving the ransom payment.

In a statement issued last Friday, the Benue State Police Command had claimed that the abducted law students were rescued by security operatives. However, Obiorah strongly disputed this version of events.

“The police claimed they rescued us, but a male and a female are still in the hands of the kidnappers,” he stated. “Is the Nigeria Police selective in rescuing Nigerians? Will you rescue a few and abandon others?”

He named the two remaining victims again, stressing they were in the same bus and endured the same ordeal as the rest.

Recalling the incident, Obiorah said all hostages had been held together in a hut and were released at the same time except for the two.

“Mmesoma said she is a student of Anambra State University. She got married earlier this year. Chimezie, a trader, was also heading to Cameroon,” he explained.

This incident draws parallels to a similar case in 2023 when Rukayat Musa, a newlywed woman, and her two sisters-in-law were abducted in Ilorin, Kwara State. They were released only after the payment of ₦7 million in ransom.

Families and sympathizers are now calling on security agencies and the government to intensify efforts to ensure the immediate release of Mmesoma and Chimezie.

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