Six mourners abducted by gunmen while conveying a woman’s corpse for burial in Benue State have regained their freedom following the reported payment of N2.5 million ransom.

The victims, comprising the deceased woman’s husband and five other mourners, were kidnapped around 8pm on Friday along Adoka Road in Otukpo Local Government Area while travelling to Okpoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area.

The woman was said to have died in Kano, and her remains were being transported for burial when the gunmen intercepted their vehicle and abducted the occupants.

The kidnappers reportedly abandoned the corpse on the highway and initially demanded N15 million for the release of the victims.

A source disclosed that the six abductees regained their freedom in the early hours of Wednesday after their families reportedly paid N2.5 million.

Confirming the development, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said the victims were released between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, but declined to comment on the reported ransom payment.

However, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, said he was yet to receive official confirmation of their release.