By Segun Onibiyo
(Otukpo, Nigeria) – “It started with a scream”, Amirh Paula told TruthNigeria.
“At Ihotu Motor Park in Otukpo, the midday bustle was pierced by the shrill cry of a young woman who had just spotted her one-time kidnappers. The three men were boarding a vehicle for hire to Makurdi. She ran toward them, adrenaline overpowering fear. She grabbed one of them by his shirt as he squirmed inside the car and refused to let go.
“These are the men that kidnapped me!” she shouted, her voice breaking, Paula added.
Within minutes, a crowd formed. The other two suspects bolted, but bystanders gave chase and caught them before they could leave the park. Tension quickly escalated. Enraged by the brazenness of the alleged kidnappers and inflamed by the woman’s courage, the crowd descended into mob fury. Wooden planks, stones, and fists flew through the air. A lynching seemed imminent.
But the park manager, alarmed by the scene unraveling before his eyes, placed a desperate call to local security operatives. Soldiers and police arrived just in time to rescue the three men from death by mob clubbing.
“Inside the suspects’ Ghana-must-go bag we found ₦11 million in cash, mostly in ₦1,000 denominations, money the victim said resembled the ransom paid for her release just weeks earlier,” according to Torbundeh Tion, a farm-produce seller in the Ihotu market speaking to TruthNigeria by phone.
A Shocking Discovery in Broad Daylight
Another eyewitness at the scene confirmed that the suspects arrived at the park casually, unaware that one of their past victims was also traveling that day. Mr. Emmanuel Agbo, a commercial driver who witnessed the incident, told TruthNigeria: “She didn’t hesitate. As soon as she saw them, she screamed and grabbed one. The other two took off, but people ran after them and caught them.”
After the suspects were subdued, bystanders watched as park staff opened the bag and began to count the cash. “₦11 million, no less,” added Mr. Joseph Ekpe, a trader at the park. “We counted it ourselves while waiting for the police.”
The suspects were taken to the divisional police station in Otukpo, where, in a chilling twist, another woman came forward and identified them as the same gang that had kidnapped her earlier this year.
Governor Alia Orders Swift Transfer
TruthNigeria also confirmed the story via telephone through the Benue state police public relations office headed by DSP Udeme Edet that Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia was briefed within hours of the arrest. The governor immediately instructed the Commissioner of Police to transfer the suspects to Makurdi, the state capital, for thorough interrogation and prosecution.
Why the Victims Are Moving Faster Than the Police
That the suspects could casually stroll into a public park carrying millions in suspected ransom without being flagged by law enforcement raises alarming questions about security in Otukpo.
According to a security analyst Dr. Isa Garuba, who volunteers information for TruthNigeria, Otukpo’s lone divisional police station has fewer than 30 operational officers serving a population of more than 100,000. “That’s roughly one officer for every 3,300 people,” Garuba said. “The station lacks functional patrol units and relies almost entirely on reactive not preventive policing.”
This understaffing, Garuba warned, has created a vacuum. “Kidnappers now use towns like Otukpo as safe corridors. They’re rarely intercepted because the infrastructure simply isn’t there.”
A senior officer at the Benue State Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, admitted that the Otukpo division is “overwhelmed” and has not received fresh deployments in over a year.
Mob Killings
With security personnel scarce and delayed, more and more communities are resorting to extrajudicial justice. Human rights watchdogs are sounding the alarm.
“The rise in mob justice is a direct consequence of failing law enforcement institutions,” said Adaora Ezeife, a legal officer with the CLEEN Foundation. “When people believe the police won’t show up or worse, will release criminals they take the law into their own hands. But this endangers both justice and human rights”
The West Africa Policy Institute (WAPI) agrees. “This case reflects the public’s deep-seated distrust in state institutions,” said Mohammed Nurudeen, WAPI’s senior research fellow on security governance to TruthNigeria when responding to questions. “It is shocking, but not surprising, that the community almost lynched the suspects before authorities arrived. The state must act before vigilante justice becomes the new normal.”
Victim’s Courage Sparks Hope Amid Decline
The young woman whose alert triggered the arrests has declined to speak publicly, citing safety concerns. However, a relative told TruthNigeria when contacted that she is “relieved but shaken,” and currently under protective custody.
“She was terrified but brave,” said Mrs. Grace Ugwu, a neighbor of the victim. “She could have looked away, but she didn’t. She saved lives.”
Otukpo residents are calling on both state and federal governments to use this high-profile case to revamp security presence in the area.
“This town cannot rely on luck and bravery alone,” said Mr. Andrew Ujege, a local community leader. “The next time, the kidnappers might be armed, and the victim might not be as lucky.”
Segun Onibiyo reports on terrorism and conflicts for TruthNigeria
