Gunmen abduct 14 passengers in Benue, five rescued

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Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling along the Otukpo–Adoka road in Benue State, with the police confirming that five of the victims have so far been rescued.

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The incident occurred on Thursday night when an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja was reportedly ambushed along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.

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A resident, Ochai, who spoke with our correspondent on Friday, said the gunmen forced all the passengers into the surrounding forest.

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Ochai said, “Some gunmen ambushed an 18-seater bus heading to Abuja between Omutele and Ankpechi along Otukpo -Adola road yesterday (Thursday) night.

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“All the passengers in the vehicle were whisked away by the gunmen.”

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Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, in a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi, said the police launched a coordinated rescue operation early Friday.

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Aondongu said the operation involved an exchange of gunfire between the security operatives and the kidnappers.

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The police boss said, “The Benue State Police Command has confirmed a kidnapping incident involving a commercial passenger bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area on the night of 13 August 2026.

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“Following the incident, operatives of the command commenced a coordinated rescue operation early this (Friday) morning. The operation, which involved an exchange of gunfire, has so far resulted in the successful rescue of five victims, including a four-year-old boy, while nine others remain in the custody of the suspected kidnappers.”

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The police spokesperson disclosed that one of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury during the operation and was taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment.

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He said the police, working with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to secure the release of the remaining nine victims.

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According to Aondongu, the operation was being conducted cautiously, with the safety of the abducted passengers prioritised.

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The Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, also assured the victims’ families and members of the public that efforts would continue until the remaining passengers were rescued.

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He urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information that could aid the rescue operation.

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The latest incident comes amid growing concerns over insecurity in Otukpo and Ohimini local government areas, where residents have reported a series of killings and kidnappings in recent weeks.

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