Police rescue five abducted Benue passengers, 13 still held.

The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Ifeanyi Emenari, has confirmed the rescue of five passengers who were abducted along the Makurdi–Otukpo road following an attack on a commercial bus.

The victims were among a group of passengers travelling in a Benue Links vehicle when armed assailants ambushed the bus on Wednesday night. Providing an update in Makurdi, the police chief disclosed that although some progress has been made, 13 passengers are still being held captive by the attackers.

He explained that a total of 18 persons, including the driver, were on board the bus at the time of the incident. During the attack, three passengers were not taken by the kidnappers, while two others managed to escape, leaving the remaining victims in the custody of the criminals.

Emenari noted that initial investigations and debriefing of the rescued victims have not confirmed whether any of them were candidates of the ongoing examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), although authorities have not ruled out the possibility that some of those still in captivity could be among the candidates.

He emphasised that the primary focus of the security agencies is to ensure the safe rescue of all victims, regardless of their identities. According to him, the remaining captives are believed to be in a dangerous location, prompting intensified rescue efforts by security operatives.

The Commissioner assured that tactical teams have been deployed to the affected areas, particularly around Otukpo, where search and rescue operations are ongoing. He stressed that security forces are determined to sustain the operation until every victim is safely recovered.

He also revealed that broader security operations have been activated across parts of the state, including Apa and Logo Local Government Areas, as part of efforts to dismantle criminal networks and prevent further attacks. The operations are particularly significant at the start of the farming season, a period often associated with heightened tensions and security concerns in rural communities.

Reaffirming the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, Emenari stated that all necessary strategies have been put in place to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice. He expressed confidence that ongoing efforts would yield positive results and restore safety along major routes in the state.

Authorities continue to urge residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely information that could aid ongoing operations.