Christian Residents Kidnapped for Ransom with Impunity
By Ekani Olikita
“They will likely kill me tonight if the N7m (4,375 USD) ransom they are demanding is not paid”— last words from one of the victims to his family.
Armed Fulani Kidnappers have laid siege on several Benue State communities, abducting residents at will.
In what is described as brazenly and unprecedented, well-armed kidnappers speaking the language of Fulfulde at about 8:30 pm local time (19:30 GMT), on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, abducted 3 female students, Emmanuella Msenuter Orakaa, Susan Iember and Apebo Folashade from the Federal University of Agriculture, also known as Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM). Their whereabouts remain unknown as the kidnappers have not established communication contact with the victims’ families
Again, in the late hours of Saturday, March first, 2025, a group of Fulani kidnappers, ambushed a young Christian Fisherman, Farmer and a Community Leader, John Adanu Apeche-gbe at his residence at a Riverine Community in Gbajimba, Guma County Headquarters, took him to the forest and are currently demanding N7m ( 4,375 USD) on threat of killing him.
Just in the early hours of Monday, March 3rd, 2025, another group of Fulani knappers abducted Mr Adoga Adeka in Otukpo County and took him to an unknown destination.
Benue, a predominantly Christian North Central Nigeria State, has come under ceaseless attacks, kidnappings and killings by fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) since 2013, leading to the displacement of 2.5 million and death of thousands of residents.
Despite the shocking profusion of displacement and death, the Federal Government has refused to pay similar attention it is giving to victims of Boko Haram terrorism in the Northeast Nigeria, locals tell TruthNigeria.
The Fulani tribe, a group known across West Africa for their cattle-herding and historical involvement in regional jihad wars, have been linked to thousands of massacres in Nigeria. According to the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, the Fulani have been responsible for 55,000 deaths in the last four years
Christian Abductees killed despite payment of Ransoms
What is so shocking about kidnappings in Benue and other states in the North Central Nigeria, which are predominantly inhabited by Christians is that, Fulani Kidnappers (who are Muslims) usually kill their victims (Christians) even though ransoms are paid for their release.
TruthNigeria exclusively reported on the abduction of one Mr Terzungwe Shaku, a Christian Farmer and Businessman by armed Fulani terrorists on New Year’s PlDay, January 1st, l from his residence at Akor Community in Guma County and his gruesome murder on Monday, January 6, 2025 despite payment of the N5.4m ($3,511) demanded by the kidnappers because of his faith.
Benue University shutdown of activities
The management of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, has suspended academic activities following the abduction of three female engineering students late Tuesday night on the university campus.
The university management, in a circular signed by the Registrar, Dr John David, announced a one-week semester break in solidarity with the student community, urging all the students to vacate their hostels.
Despite claims by the representatives of the students, Tsar Christopher and Atsar Lubem that the number of kidnapped students were 4, the university authority was insisting that the victims were 3 Female Engineering students.
“They will likely kill me tonight if the ransom on my head is not paid today”—- Abductee
In a phone call on Monday, March 3rd, 2025 by the abductors of John Adanu Apeche-gbe to his younger brother, Gombo, monitored by TruthNigeria Correspondent in Makurdi, the kidnappers in Fufulde and Hausa language (the common local languages usually spoken by Fulani) and using the Victim’s phone, warned the younger brother not to let anyone know, directed him to bring the money today or they kill his brother.
The kidnappers quickly gave the phone to the victim, John Adanu Apeche-gbe, who has almost lost his voice, said: “Igi mwunche inde nije lo iwa inche no”, ( meaning, they will likely kill me today if the ransom is not paid today).
“I can’t find money to pay for his ransom”— Victim’s brother
Mr Gombo Joseph Adanu, younger brother to the kidnapped victim, John Adanu Apeche-gbe told TruthNigeria he has gone everywhere to borrow money so that he could pay in order to release his brother but to no avail.
“We are only two and are orphans. Nobody to help us. I have gone round but haven’t seen money to borrow. The kidnappers are threatening to kill my brother today if I don’t pay them the N7m they are demanding “, Gombo said.
“I don’t know what to do”, Wife said in tears
Wife of the victim, Naruba John Adanu, who couldn’t control her tears said, she is helpless and hapless.
I just buried the woman that brought me up and the worst has just happened to me. I have nowhere to go to get the money, I am just waiting for God for His intervention”, Naruba said as she wept profusely.
Benue Police Command Confirms Kidnappings
When contacted in a phone interview with TruthNigeria Correspondent, the Spokeswoman, Benue State Police Command, Mrs Catherine Anene confirmed the kidnappings, saying frantic efforts were on the way to rescue the victims.
Attacks, Kidnappings and killings by Fulani terrorists have skyrocketed in recent days, putting the fragile Peace being enjoyed by Benue Residents into jeopardy.
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter with TruthNigeria.
