Benue Links Bus Passengers Kidnapped in Armed Ambush

Eleven passengers and a driver travelling on a Benue Links bus have been abducted by gunmen in central Nigeria, according to the transport company and police.

The bus, which was en route from Abeokuta in the south-western state of Ogun to Makurdi, the Benue State capital, was attacked on Sunday evening at around 6:30pm in Okpokwu Local Government Area.

Benue Links Nigeria Limited confirmed the attack in a statement on Monday, saying the vehicle was later found abandoned near Eke Elengbecho, with passengers’ belongings still inside but no sign of 11 passengers and the driver.

“One of the passengers managed to escape and alerted police at Eke station,” said Johnson Daniel, the company’s spokesperson. “We are working with security agencies to secure the safe return of all abducted individuals.”

The Benue State Police Command said its officers, alongside the military and local security forces, launched a search operation shortly after receiving the report.

A police spokesperson, SP Udeme Edet, disclosed that one passenger, identified as Paul Terna, had been rescued during the operation. “He escaped from the kidnappers and was found during the search,” Edet said.

Security forces are continuing to comb the area in search of the missing victims, and additional reinforcements have been deployed.