Gunmen suspected to be armed herders have abducted 14 passengers travelling in a Benue Links bus along the Makurdi to Otukpo road in Benue State.
Among those kidnapped were students reportedly heading to Otukpo to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination.
Sources said the incident happened on Wednesday night, April 15, 2026, when the bus was travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo before it was intercepted by the attackers.
According to local accounts, only the driver and one passenger were able to escape during the attack, while the remaining occupants were taken away.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident and stated that many of the victims were young people travelling for the examination.
He added that security agencies had already been mobilised to the area to begin rescue operations.
The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, also confirmed the abduction, saying he personally led officers to the scene and that an active search operation is ongoing.
According to the police commissioner, the bus was stopped by hoodlums who then kidnapped the passengers.
He further noted that Benue Links buses are not expected to operate at night, suggesting the vehicle may have picked up passengers outside official hours.
Authorities said investigations have commenced, while efforts continue to rescue the victims and track down those responsible.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over security along major roads in Benue State, especially for students and travellers moving at night.
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