Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling along the Otukpo–Adoka road in Benue State, with the police rescuing five of the victims during a coordinated operation.
The Punch reported that the incident occurred on Thursday night when an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja was attacked around the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.
A resident, Ochai, told our correspondent on Friday that the armed men forced the passengers into a nearby forest after stopping the vehicle.
He said, “Some gunmen ambushed an 18-seater bus heading to Abuja between Omutele and Ankpechi along Otukpo -Adola road yesterday (Thursday) night.
“All the passengers in the vehicle were whisked away by the gunmen.”
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said security operatives launched a rescue operation early Friday.
According to him, the operation involved an exchange of gunfire with the suspected kidnappers and resulted in the rescue of five victims, including a four-year-old boy.
Aondongu 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.
“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.”
He 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.
The police spokesperson said efforts had been intensified, in collaboration with other security agencies, to secure the release of the nine passengers still being held by the kidnappers.
He added that the operation was being conducted cautiously, with the safety of the victims given priority.
The state Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, assured the victims’ families and members of the public that security agencies would continue the operation until all the abducted passengers were rescued.
He also urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist the security agencies.
The latest abduction comes amid growing security concerns in Otukpo and Ohimini Local Government Areas, following reports of killings and kidnappings in the communities in recent weeks.
