Benue Bus Horror: 12 Abducted, One Escapes as Gunmen Strike Along Ugbokolo-Otukpo Road
A routine trip turned into a nightmare Sunday evening when at least 12 passengers traveling in a Benue Links bus were abducted by armed men near Eke, along the Ugbokolo-Otukpo Road in Okpokwu Local Government Area.
The state-owned vehicle, bearing registration number 14B-143BN, was en route to Makurdi from Abeokuta when it was ambushed around 6:30 p.m. According to eyewitness accounts, the gunmen not only robbed the passengers but also force-marched them into a nearby forest.
Only one passenger managed to escape and later reported the incident to the Eke Police Station, prompting immediate response from law enforcement.
Benue Links Nigeria Limited confirmed the attack in an official statement on Monday, describing the ordeal as “unfortunate.” The company revealed that the bus was later found abandoned by the roadside with some luggage still inside, while the driver and 11 passengers remain unaccounted for.
“Benue Links Nigeria Limited regrets to inform the public of an unfortunate incident involving one of our buses attacked while en route Makurdi from Abeokuta. The vehicle departed with 12 passengers and the driver. One passenger escaped and reported that the bus was ambushed by armed kidnappers,” said Johnson Ehi, the company’s Information Officer.
The firm assured the public that it is cooperating with security agencies to ensure the victims’ safe return.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command, through its spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the abduction and detailed an ongoing rescue operation involving joint tactical teams, the military, and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards.
“Upon reaching the scene, operatives combed the surrounding forest and successfully rescued one of the victims, identified as Paul Terns, who managed to escape from the kidnappers,” Edet noted.
Additional reinforcements have since been deployed to the area as the search intensifies.
This incident underscores the mounting insecurity on Nigeria’s highways, particularly in Benue and other regions plagued by frequent kidnappings. Authorities are urging residents to remain calm and report any information that could aid the rescue operation.
