The Benue State Police Command has successfully rescued 14 passengers of Benue Links, who were kidnapped by armed men on Thursday evening in Otukpo Local Government Area.
In a statement to the press, Police spokesperson SP Sewuese Anene confirmed that the bus was attacked on April 3, around the Otukpo Burnt Bricks area, resulting in the death of the driver and one passenger.
The gunmen took 14 other passengers to an undisclosed location. Anene explained that police officers, working alongside the State Civil Protection Guard, responded quickly to the scene and discovered the driver and a passenger with gunshot wounds inside the vehicle, while the others had been taken by the kidnappers.
“The injured were rushed to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead by medical personnel. Immediately after, our team launched a search in the nearby forest for the kidnapped victims. At approximately 3:00 p.m. on April 4, we spotted the bandits in the forest and engaged them in a gunfight. Thanks to the superior firepower of our officers, the kidnappers fled, abandoning their captives,” she said.
However, Anene added that two of the victims had been severely injured with machete cuts before being rescued. The 14 victims were then taken to the hospital, where one was later confirmed dead, while the others are receiving medical treatment.
The Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabanet, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. He also urged the people of Otukpo to report any individuals with gunshot wounds to the police, as many of the kidnappers were injured during the exchange of gunfire.
