The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that a Benue Links commercial bus was intercepted by unknown gunmen, who subsequently kidnapped all the passengers on board
The incident reportedly took place on Sunday evening along the Eke–Ugbokolo Road in Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the attack occurred around 7:00 p.m. The bus, which was said to be traveling from Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, was ambushed by heavily armed assailants. The attackers allegedly forced the vehicle to a halt, robbed the passengers of their personal belongings, and marched them into the surrounding bush.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Benue State Command, SP Edet Okon Udeme, confirmed the development in a press statement. He said the affected vehicle, a Toyota bus bearing registration number 14B-143BN, was later found abandoned by the roadside in Ugbokolo.
Upon receiving the distress report, the state police command, in conjunction with the Nigerian Army and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, swiftly deployed a tactical team to the scene. The joint operation combed through the forest in search of the abducted victims.
During the search operation, one of the abducted individuals, identified as Paul Terns, was successfully rescued after reportedly escaping from the kidnappers. Efforts are currently ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining victims.
The Police Command has since intensified security surveillance in the area and has deployed additional reinforcements to support the rescue operation. Authorities have also appealed to residents of the community to remain calm and cooperate fully with security personnel as investigations continue.
The command reassured the public of its commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring the safety of travelers and residents across the state.
This incident follows closely on the heels of a recent massacre in the Yelwata area of the state, where more than 200 lives were lost, raising fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in Benue.