Relief has come for the family of Mr Tartenger Terdue James, a groom-to-be who was abducted just days before his traditional marriage in Benue State, after he regained his freedom following a ransom payment.
James was kidnapped last Tuesday while travelling to Cross River State to buy palm oil ahead of his traditional wedding, which had been scheduled for Saturday, December 13, 2025.
The trip, meant to finalise preparations for a joyous family celebration, instead plunged relatives into days of anxiety, prayers and frantic efforts to secure his release.
According to family sources, the abductors initially demanded a ransom of ₦3 million but later agreed to free him after receiving about ₦1.5 million.
“We tried our best and sent part of the money they asked for. It was not complete, but they released him,” a family member told reporters.
James was freed in the early hours of Tuesday and reunited with his family at about 4:00 a.m., after being released by his captors around 2:00 a.m.
He was reportedly dropped off at Kone, Tse-Ken, in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, bringing an end to a traumatic ordeal that nearly overshadowed what should have been a milestone moment in his life.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
