Benue State Command has confirmed the abduction of passengers travelling from Oju local government area to the southern part of the country.

Leadership gathered that 14 passengers were intercepted and kidnapped by suspected bandits, while two others were shot dead when the driver of the vehicle refused to stop.

Sources said the travellers who left Oju on Monday evening were attacked along the Utonkon/ Okpoga Road and whisked away into the bush.

Recall that nine worshippers of St John's Catholic Church in Utonkon, Ado local government area were abducted during a night vigil in the early hours of last Sunday.

While confirming the latest incident in a telephone interview with our correspondent, Benue State Police Command's spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, said security operatives were deployed in the area immediately after the incident.

"Yes, the incident happened. We deployed our tactical units in the area to rescue the victims and arrest the suspects. We have also launched investigation" she stated.