Benue bus kidnapping victims rescued, authorities confirm arrests

All passengers abducted from a bus in Benue State, Nigeria, on Wednesday have been rescued, according to the state governor on Sunday. Authorities had initially given conflicting figures on the number of victims, with police reporting 14 kidnapped while the governor said 15. Police also confirmed that seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident as investigations continue.

All the passengers who were abducted from a bus on Wednesday in Nigeria’s central Benue State have now been successfully rescued, the state governor confirmed on Sunday, bringing relief after several days of uncertainty over their fate.
The incident, which involved the kidnapping of passengers traveling by bus, had sparked concern across the region as authorities worked to track down both the victims and those responsible. However, officials have now confirmed that all the abducted passengers have been safely recovered.
Despite the confirmation of their rescue, there has been some inconsistency regarding the exact number of people involved in the incident. Local police authorities had earlier reported that 14 passengers were kidnapped from the bus during the attack. In contrast, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia stated in comments to journalists on Sunday that 15 individuals were actually taken.
The difference in figures has not yet been fully clarified by authorities, though investigations are ongoing to establish the precise details of the incident, including the exact number of victims and the circumstances surrounding their abduction and rescue.
In connection with the case, police had earlier announced the arrest of seven suspects believed to be linked to the kidnappings. Security officials say the arrests form part of a broader investigation aimed at dismantling the network behind the attack and preventing similar incidents in the future.
Authorities have not yet provided additional details on the condition of the rescued passengers or whether further arrests are expected, but security operations in the area are continuing.