A Benue Links commercial vehicle was attacked on Sunday evening by unidentified gunmen near Eke, a community located along the Otukpo-Otukpa road in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to reports, the bus was travelling along the route when it was suddenly ambushed by the attackers around 6:30 pm. The gunmen blocked the road and halted the bus before forcing their way in. Witnesses say the passengers were first robbed of their personal belongings and later led away into the nearby forest by the armed men.
The commercial vehicle, which carried the number plate 14B-143BN, was carrying travellers who were headed towards Otukpa. Locals in the area reported hearing loud noises and seeing people running for safety during the time of the incident.
Shortly after the kidnapping, Comrade Austin Agada, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, arrived at the scene. He noted the seriousness of the situation and quickly contacted both military and police officers. Security operatives responded promptly and started searching the area for signs of the kidnapped passengers.
“The moment I saw what had happened, I made calls to the police and military teams. They arrived within minutes and began moving into the bush,” Comrade Agada said.
The security agencies, including local vigilante groups, are now working together to rescue the abducted individuals. As of Monday morning, there has been no official statement regarding the number of passengers taken or their current condition.
