Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling along the Otukpo–Adoka road in Benue State, with five of the victims, including a four-year-old boy, already rescued by security forces. The incident occurred on Thursday night, August 13, 2026, when an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja was ambushed along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.
Attack and Abduction Details
A resident, Ochai, who spoke with PUNCH on Friday, said the gunmen forced all the passengers into the surrounding forest. He recounted: “Some gunmen ambushed an 18-seater bus heading to Abuja between Omutele and Ankpechi along Otukpo-Adola road yesterday (Thursday) night. All the passengers in the vehicle were whisked away by the gunmen.”
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, who stated that a coordinated rescue operation was launched early Friday morning.
Police Rescue Operation and Casualties
According to Aondongu, the operation involved an exchange of gunfire between security operatives and the kidnappers. In a statement, he said: “The Benue State Police Command has confirmed a kidnapping incident involving a commercial passenger bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area on the night of 13 August 2026.”
He added: “Following the incident, operatives of the command commenced a coordinated rescue operation early this (Friday) morning. The operation, which involved an exchange of gunfire, has so far resulted in the successful rescue of five victims, including a four-year-old boy, while nine others remain in the custody of the suspected kidnappers.”
The police spokesperson disclosed that one of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury during the operation and was taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment.
Ongoing Efforts and Public Appeal
Aondongu said the police, working with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to secure the release of the remaining nine victims. He noted 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 efforts would continue until the remaining passengers were rescued. He urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information that could aid the rescue operation.
