Armed men struck along the Makurdi Otukpo road in Benue State on Wednesday evening, intercepting a commercial bus and abducting 14 of its passengers, most of whom were travelling to Otukpo to sit the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination the following day.
The attacked vehicle, a Benue Links bus, was ambushed close to Otukpo town around 7 pm. Witnesses said the gunmen brought the bus to a halt on the highway before herding the passengers into a forest. The driver and a few others escaped during the attack.
Otukpo Local Government Area Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the kidnapping, saying security agencies had been mobilised and deployed into the forest in search of the victims.
“It is true, I’m just coming out of a security meeting, and security operatives have been moved into the forest to help rescue the kidnapped victims. The victims are mainly young boys and girls coming to Otukpo to write JAMB,” Ogiri disclosed.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, also confirmed that 14 passengers were taken, with one managing to escape. Emenari revealed that he was on the ground in Otukpo, personally coordinating the rescue operation with tactical teams and Divisional Police Officers.
“What happened was that one Benue Links bus carrying passengers coming to Otukpo was stopped and attacked by hoodlums, and 14 passengers were kidnapped, but one was able to escape,” he stated.
The Commissioner further noted that the incident raised questions about the conduct of the journey, as Benue Links maintains a policy against night operations. He indicated that the driver had picked up passengers after the company had closed for the day, and that the circumstances were still under investigation.
The Makurdi Otukpo corridor has recorded repeated attacks in recent months, and Wednesday’s incident has renewed calls for stronger security measures along the route.
Last Updated on April 17, 2026 by Ola Funmilayo
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