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Mr Tartenger Terdue James, who was abducted just days before his traditional marriage, has regained his freedom after his family paid a ransom to his captors in Benue State.
James was kidnapped last Tuesday while travelling from Benue to Cross River State to purchase palm oil for his traditional wedding, which was scheduled to hold on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
What was meant to be a routine pre-wedding trip quickly turned into a distressing ordeal, plunging his family into days of anxiety, uncertainty, and desperate appeals for his safe return.
Relief finally came in the early hours of Tuesday when James reunited with his family at about 4:00 a.m., bringing an end to a week-long captivity. According to family sources, he was released by his abductors around 2:00 a.m. before finding his way back to safety.
A family member disclosed that the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦3 million, but negotiations led to his release after the family paid approximately ₦1.5 million.
“We tried our best and sent part of the money they asked for. It was not complete, but they released him,” the source said.
James was reportedly dropped off at Kone, Tse-Ken, in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, where he was later reunited with his relatives.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over insecurity and kidnapping in parts of Benue State, particularly in rural communities where residents often rely on personal negotiations to secure the release of abducted victims.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the development. Efforts to reach the police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful, as calls to her mobile phone were not answered.
Community members expressed relief over James’s release while calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to curb abductions and protect residents, especially during festive and ceremonial periods.
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