Benue State Witnesses Brazen Kidnapping as Gunmen Abduct 14 Travellers

A disturbing incident of kidnapping has unfolded in Benue State, where a group of armed men ambushed a commercial bus and abducted 14 passengers. The bus, which was travelling from Enugu State to Abuja, was attacked on the Otukpo-Adoka road in the Ohimini Local Government Area on the night of Thursday, August 13, 2026. According to eyewitness accounts, the gunmen forced all the passengers into the surrounding forest. A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that the abducted passengers were taken away by the gunmen, leaving the bus empty. The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the incident and stated that a coordinated rescue operation was launched early on Friday. The operation involved a fierce exchange of gunfire between the security operatives and the kidnappers, resulting in the rescue of five victims, including a four-year-old boy. Unfortunately, one of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury and was rushed to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment. The police spokesperson disclosed that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining nine victims, with the safety of the abducted passengers being the top priority. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, has assured the families of the victims and the general public that the police will continue to work tirelessly until all the abducted passengers are rescued. He also urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide the security agencies with credible information that could aid the rescue operation.