Troops rescue 13 abducted Benue Links bus passengers

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 13 passengers kidnapped from a Benue Links commercial bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo road, days after the abduction.

The victims were freed in the early hours of Sunday during a search-and-rescue operation carried out in a forest in Okete Ward, Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

The abduction occurred on Wednesday when suspected gunmen attacked the vehicle, taking several passengers into captivity. According to reports, three of the 17 initially abducted passengers had earlier escaped and reunited with their families before the latest rescue.

Military sources said efforts are ongoing to locate and free the remaining victims still believed to be in captivity.

Following their rescue, the 13 passengers were taken to a general hospital in Otukpo, where they are currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the incident.

Initial reports suggested that some of the victims were candidates travelling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). However, both the Benue State Police Command and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board have dismissed the claim.

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Police spokesperson Udeme Edet described the reports as “misinformation,” while JAMB’s public communications adviser, Fabian Benjamin, clarified that the passengers were instead returning from a police recruitment exercise in Makurdi at the time of the attack.

Authorities say security operations in the area have been intensified as efforts continue to ensure the safe return of the remaining abductees and to curb further attacks along the route.