Police confirm abduction of 14 passengers in Benue

Tragedy has struck Benue State once again as the Police Command confirmed the abduction of 14 passengers, a grim incident that has sent shockwaves through the community. The victims, many of whom were reportedly Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) candidates, were traveling from Makurdi to Otukpo when their Benue Links bus was ambushed and hijacked on Wednesday night.

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I’m in Otukpo now, with my team, and DPOs are here in the bush, and I am heading the operation.

Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Emenari, who is personally leading the rescue efforts in Otukpo, confirmed the harrowing details. He stated that out of the 14 passengers taken, one managed to escape, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the despair. The police have mobilized a significant contingent, including Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), and are actively combing the area in a bid to secure the safe return of the remaining victims.

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What happened was that a Benue Links bus carrying passengers coming to Otukpo was stopped and attacked by hoodlums, and 14 passengers were kidnapped, but one was able to escape.

Adding a layer of concern, the Commissioner noted that Benue Links buses typically adhere to a policy of not traveling at night. The driver's decision to proceed after the day's operations had concluded, and the subsequent picking up of passengers along the route, is now under scrutiny as the investigation unfolds. This incident is a stark reminder of the escalating insecurity plaguing Benue State, where villages and communities have been subjected to relentless attacks, kidnappings, and violence, often stemming from protracted herder-farmer conflicts.

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We know that Benue Links has a policy that they don’t usually drive at night. So from what I got, they had already closed (for the day), but the driver, for reasons best known to him, still moved in the night.

From a local perspective in Nigeria, this abduction is not just a crime; it's a deeply felt violation that exacerbates the pervasive fear and instability gripping many parts of the country. While international news might report on the statistics of insecurity, for Nigerians, each incident represents a personal tragedy and a blow to the collective sense of safety. The efforts of the police, though commendable, highlight the immense challenge they face in combating the widespread banditry and criminal activities that continue to plague communities like those in Benue.

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But as we are investigating, we are on the ground to make sure that the victims are rescued.