In a dramatic turn of events, the Benue State Police Command has successfully rescued 14 abducted passengers who fell victim to a brutal ambush by gunmen along the Otukpo-Makurdi highway. The incident, which initially claimed the lives of two innocent travelers, sent shockwaves across Benue State and beyond, prompting swift and decisive action by law enforcement authorities.
Confirming the development in a statement released Friday night, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, detailed the bravery and tactical precision exhibited by the police operatives in tracking down the assailants and liberating the captives.
“Immediately after receiving distress calls, our tactical team launched a rigorous search operation in the surrounding forest areas. On April 4, 2025, at about 1500hrs, our men encountered the kidnappers deep in the bush. A fierce gun battle ensued, and the superior firepower of our operatives overwhelmed the criminals, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee into the dense woodland,” Anene said.
Tragically, two of the kidnapped passengers had already sustained severe machete injuries before the rescue operation. All fourteen rescued victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care. While thirteen survivors continue to receive treatment, one victim succumbed to injuries and was confirmed dead by medical personnel.
The daring abduction occurred on the evening of Thursday, April 3, 2025, near the Otukpo Burnt Bricks area of Otukpo Local Government Area. A Benue Links Nigeria Limited commercial bus, bearing registration number PP512 and en route from Makurdi to Otukpo, was ambushed by heavily armed assailants who opened fire on the vehicle.
The attackers fatally shot the bus driver, Mr. Samuel Agege, and a front-seat passenger before attempting to herd the remaining passengers into the forest. In the chaos, three passengers managed to escape the attack, while one had alighted earlier at Taraku town, narrowly avoiding the grisly fate that befell others.
Benue Links Nigeria Limited, in a statement issued by its Information Officer, Johnson Daniel, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and commended the gallantry of the security forces.
“Benue Links Nigeria Limited regrets to announce the tragic attack on one of its buses. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and stand in unwavering solidarity with the victims and their loved ones. We are in constant contact with the security agencies and remain confident in their efforts to bring justice to the perpetrators,” the company stated.
This latest assault adds to the growing list of violent attacks on commuters in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, once again underscoring the urgent need for enhanced highway security and robust intelligence gathering.
As investigations continue, the Benue State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to rooting out criminal elements from the region and ensuring the safety of travelers. The hunt for the fleeing gunmen is ongoing, with reinforcements deployed to comb the forests and surrounding communities.
The people of Benue are left mourning yet another tragic episode but are also drawing hope from the swift and courageous response of their law enforcement officers—a testament to resilience in the face of terror.
PIONEER NEWS 