Police rescue 14 victims of ambushed Benue Links bus  

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 14 passengers who were abducted during an ambush on a Benue Links bus by armed men in the Ikobi community of Otukpo Local Government Area.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Catherine Anene, the 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus, belonging to the state-owned Benue Links Transport Company, was attacked on Thursday, April 3, 2025, around 8:30 p.m. while conveying passengers from Makurdi to Otukpo.

The assailants reportedly opened fire on the vehicle at the Otukpo Burnt Bricks area, shooting at the driver and a front-seat passenger. This forced the driver to halt abruptly. 

On arrival at the scene, police officers and personnel from the Benue State Civil Protection Guard discovered the driver and a passenger with gunshot wounds. 

Both were rushed to the hospital but were confirmed dead on arrival.

 Part of the statement read: “The injured were conveyed to the hospital where they were confirmed dead by a doctor.”

“The team launched a search for the kidnapped victims within the nearby forest immediately. On April 4, 2025, at about 3 pm, they sighted the bandits in the forest and engaged them in a gun duel. The superior firepower of the police subdued them, and they took to their heels, abandoning their captives.”

“Unfortunately, they had inflicted matchet cuts on two of the victims before the rescue. Fourteen victims were rescued and taken to the hospital, where one was confirmed dead, and others are currently receiving treatment.”

“The Commissioner of Police, Benue state command, Mr Steve Yabanet, commiserates with families of the three passengers that lost their lives in this dastardly incident and pledges his commitment to bring the perpetrators to book.”

“He enjoins the good people of Otukpo to look out for suspects with gunshot injuries and report to the police as many of these bandits received gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire.”