Gunmen suspected as herdsmen attacked a commercial vehicle on Sunday night along the Otukpo-Adoka road in Benue State, leading to the tragic death of the driver and the kidnapping of all passengers in the vehicle.
The terrifying event reportedly occurred around 11 p.m. when the vehicle was returning to Otukpo from Abuja. According to people familiar with the incident, the attackers suddenly emerged from the roadside and began shooting directly at the oncoming bus.
One eyewitness noted that the gunshots caused chaos as the driver, who was hit by a bullet, lost control of the vehicle. The bus veered off the road and crashed into nearby bushes. The driver, a native of Adoka, died instantly from his wounds.
After forcing the vehicle to stop, the gunmen pulled out all passengers and led them into the forest. The vehicle was then left at the scene. Residents from nearby areas later found the empty bus and the lifeless body of the driver. His remains have since been taken back to Adoka for burial arrangements by his family.
Security forces, including military personnel, have since arrived at the area to assess the situation. A search operation is now ongoing to locate the kidnapped passengers and track down those responsible for the attack. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of people abducted.
Local residents say the road has become increasingly dangerous in recent months due to repeated attacks and poor security patrols. One resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “This road is no longer safe. These attacks happen too often, and nothing is being done to stop them.”
