Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling along the Otukpo–Adoka road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Thursday night, August 13, 2026, when an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja was reportedly ambushed along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.
A resident identified as Ochai told Punch that the gunmen intercepted the bus and forced all the passengers into a nearby forest.
“Some gunmen ambushed an 18-seater bus heading to Abuja between Omutele and Ankpechi along Otukpo–Adoka road yesterday (Thursday) night. All the passengers in the vehicle were whisked away by the gunmen,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying five of the victims had so far been rescued.
According to him, police operatives launched a coordinated rescue operation early Friday, which involved an exchange of gunfire with the suspected kidnappers.
The operation led to the rescue of five victims, including a four-year-old boy, while nine others remained in the custody of the kidnappers.
One of the rescued victims reportedly sustained a gunshot injury during the operation and was taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment.
Aondongu said the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to rescue the remaining victims, adding that the operation was being conducted cautiously with the safety of the abducted passengers prioritised.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, assured the victims’ families and members of the public that security operatives would continue the rescue efforts until all the remaining passengers were freed.
He also urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist the security agencies in the ongoing operation.
