Police Confirm Abduction of 14 Passengers in Benue, Launch Rescue Operation

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of 14 passengers, mostly candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), who were travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo Local Government Area.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Ifeanyi Emenari, disclosed the incident on Thursday while speaking with journalists in Makurdi, noting that the attack occurred on Wednesday night.

According to the police chief, the victims were travelling in a Benue Links bus when the vehicle was intercepted by suspected hoodlums. He added that one of the passengers managed to escape from the scene of the attack.

Emenari revealed that he is currently leading a coordinated rescue operation in Otukpo, alongside Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and other tactical teams deployed to the area.

“I’m in Otukpo now with my team, and DPOs are already in the bush as we intensify efforts to rescue the victims,” he said.

Providing further details, the Commissioner explained that the transport company involved has an established policy against night travel. However, preliminary findings suggest that the driver proceeded with the journey after official closing hours for reasons yet to be determined.

“We know that Benue Links does not usually operate at night. From the information available, they had already closed for the day, but the driver still moved later in the night,” Emenari stated.

He added that investigations are ongoing to determine why the journey was undertaken at that time and to identify additional passengers who may have been picked up along the route.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding the incident, the police command assured the public that efforts are underway to secure the safe release of the abducted passengers.

“As we continue our investigation, our priority remains ensuring that all victims are rescued,” the Commissioner affirmed.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of travellers in the state, particularly along key routes connecting major towns.