The Benue State Police Command has launched a full-scale operation, including the deployment of drones, to locate 11 passengers and a driver who were kidnapped on Sunday evening in Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state.
The victims, who were travelling in a vehicle operated by Benue State Transport Company, known as Benue Links, were abducted around 6:30 p.m. near Eke, along the Otukpo-Otukpa-Enugu expressway.
Eyewitnesses say the attackers, believed to be armed kidnappers, ambushed the commercial bus, robbed the occupants of their valuables, and marched them into a nearby forest.
Confirming the incident, the management of Benue Links disclosed that the bus had departed from Abeokuta, Ogun State, and was heading to Makurdi, the Benue State capital, when it was intercepted.
In a statement released to journalists on Monday in Makurdi, Johnson Daniel, the company’s Information Officer, said the vehicle was carrying 12 passengers along with the driver at the time of the attack.
“We regret to inform the public of an unfortunate incident involving one of our buses, with Registration Number 14B – 143BN, which was attacked while en route Makurdi from Abeokuta,” the statement read.
“The attack occurred at about 6:30 pm on Sunday, 22nd June 2025, at Eke Elengbecho, in Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State.
“The vehicle, which departed Abeokuta with 12 passengers and the driver, was later discovered by the roadside at Eke with some of the passengers’ luggage; however, the driver and 11 passengers were missing.
“One passenger managed to escape and reach the Eke Police Station and reported that the bus was ambushed by armed kidnappers,” the statement added.
The company described the attack as “unfortunate” and assured that it is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted individuals.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, SP Udeme Edet, confirmed that a combined team of police tactical units, the military, and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards has been deployed to comb the forests surrounding the area.
He revealed that one of the passengers, identified as Paul Terna, was rescued after managing to flee from his captors during the operation.
“On receipt of the information, police tactical teams, military and Benue State Protection Guard arrived at the scene, combed the bush and rescued one Paul Terna who escaped from the hands of the suspected kidnappers,” Edet said.
He also disclosed that additional reinforcements have been dispatched to intensify the search and rescue mission.
In addition, Edet said the state Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, had relocated to the affected area to coordinate and oversee the ongoing operation.
“There is no update for now, but the Commissioner of Police has moved to the area, even, though we have deployed drones in the area,” Edet said.
