Gunmen abduct passengers in Benue Gunmen attacked a Benue Links bus in Okpokwu, abducting several passengers. One person was rescued as security forces continue the search.

Gunmen on Sunday evening ambushed a commercial bus along the Eke axis in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State and abducted an undisclosed number of passengers.

According to a source within the community, the incident occurred around 6:30 pm when the armed men stopped the vehicle, dispossessed the passengers of their belongings, and subsequently took them away. The source alleged that the attacked vehicle belongs to the Benue State Transport Company, commonly known as Benue Links. However, the management of the company has not yet confirmed this claim.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command on Monday confirmed the attack on a Hummer bus conveying passengers in the same location on Sunday.

The spokesperson for the command, Superintendent Udeme Edet, stated that the police received information regarding the abduction and that a joint team of security operatives was actively combing the surrounding bushes in search of the kidnapped victims.

“We are investigating a suspected kidnapping where a Hummer bus with registration number 14B-43BN was found parked by the roadside in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu LGA,” Edet said.

Upon receiving the information, police tactical teams, the military, and personnel from the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards swiftly arrived at the scene. According to the police spokesperson, the security teams searched the bush and succeeded in rescuing one Paul Terna, who managed to escape from the abductors.

“Additional reinforcement has been deployed to intensify the search and ensure the safe rescue of the remaining passengers as quickly as possible,” Edet added.