MAKURDI (Nigeria): Armed men kidnapped 14 passengers, including JAMB candidates, from a Benue Links bus traveling from Makurdi to Otukpo Local Government Area. The incident caused panic in Benue State.
The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed on Thursday that the abduction happened on Wednesday night.
He said that by Thursday, one victim had escaped, but the others were still being held.
On Thursday, Emenari said he was leading a rescue operation in Otukpo with Divisional Police Officers and tactical teams. They are working to find the kidnappers and free the victims.
“The bus was stopped by hoodlums. Fourteen passengers were kidnapped, but one escaped. We are on the ground to ensure the victims are rescued,” he said.
The police chief said Benue Links buses usually do not travel at night, but the driver broke company rules by driving after hours.
Authorities are looking into why the bus was on the road at night and how passengers were picked up.
This abduction shows the growing insecurity and frequent highway attacks in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, which has made students and commuters more worried.