The Benue State Police Command has safely recovered 14 passengers abducted from a Benue Links bus traveling from Makurdi to Otukpo, following a violent attack by armed kidnappers.
According to a statement released on Friday by CSP Catherine Anene, a Toyota Hiace bus operated by Benue Links Transport Company was en route to Otukpo when it reached the Otukpo Burnt Bricks area on the evening of April 3, 2025, at approximately 2030hrs. At that point, a gang of armed kidnappers opened fire at the front of the vehicle, targeting the driver and a front-seat passenger. The attack forced the driver to halt the bus on the highway.
Police, working in collaboration with members of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, swiftly arrived at the scene. They discovered the driver and one passenger suffering from gunshot injuries inside the bus. The injured victims were immediately transported to a hospital where, tragically, a doctor confirmed that the driver and the passenger had died from their injuries.
Following the initial incident, the police launched an intensive search within the nearby forest for the kidnapped passengers. At about 1500hrs on April 4, 2025, the police located the bandits in the forest and engaged them in a gun duel. The superior firepower of the security forces eventually forced the kidnappers to retreat, abandoning their captives. However, during the exchange of gunfire, two of the abductees sustained matchet cuts.
The rescued 14 passengers were promptly taken to a hospital for treatment. One of these victims was later confirmed dead, bringing the total number of fatalities in the incident to three.
Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Steve Yabanet, expressed his condolences to the families affected by the tragic incident. He assured the public that every effort would be made to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the attack. He also urged the residents of Otukpo to remain vigilant and report any individuals displaying signs of gunshot injuries, as many of the bandits sustained such injuries during the confrontation.
The Benue State Police Command continues to investigate the attack as it intensifies efforts to bring the culprits to justice and restore safety along key transportation routes.
