Benue Police Rescue Five Abducted Passengers, 13 Still In Captivity
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 5 passengers who were abducted along the Makurdi–Otukpo road following an attack on a Benue Links bus on Wednesday night.
Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, who disclosed the development on Friday while speaking with journalists in Makurdi, revealed that 18 persons, including the driver, were in the vehicle at the time of the attack. He explained that while three passengers were not taken and two escaped, 13 victims remain in captivity.
Emenari clarified that the identities of the victims were still being verified, noting that none of the five rescued passengers had been confirmed as candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. However, he said there were suspicions that one or two of those still held might be linked to the ongoing UTME.
“The most important thing now is rescuing all the passengers, regardless of who they are. The 13 victims are still in a danger zone,” the police commissioner stated, emphasizing that efforts remain focused on securing their safe return.
He assured that security operatives had intensified operations in the area, with rescue teams already deployed to Otukpo and surrounding forests. According to him, comprehensive strategies are in place to flush out the perpetrators, even as operational details remain undisclosed.
The CP further reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling criminality across the state, revealing that clearing operations were ongoing in vulnerable areas including Apa and Logo LGAs, particularly as the farming season begins—a period often marked by heightened security concerns.
