Gunmen Hijack Benue Links Bus, Abduct All Passengers on Otukpo-Otukpa Road

By Emmanuel Kwada

A wave of fear has gripped commuters and residents of Benue State following a brazen attack on a Benue Links commercial bus along the Otukpo-Otukpa Road in Okpokwu Local Government Area.

On Sunday evening, June 22, 2025, suspected armed gunmen ambushed the fully loaded bus, robbing passengers of their belongings before kidnapping all occupants and disappearing into the surrounding bush. The shocking incident, which occurred around 6:30 p.m. at Eke Elengbecho, has heightened concerns about the escalating insecurity in the region.

The hijacked bus, bearing registration number 14B-143BN, was en route from Abeokuta, Ogun State, to Makurdi, Benue State, carrying 12 passengers and the driver when it was intercepted by the assailants.

The gunmen swiftly overpowered the vehicle, dispossessed passengers of their valuables, and forcibly led them into the dense forest nearby

According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen swiftly overpowered the vehicle, dispossessed passengers of their valuables, and forcibly led them into the dense forest nearby. One passenger, Paul Terna, managed to escape and reported the ambush to the Eke Police Station, sparking an immediate response from security forces.

The Benue State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the incident, noting that a combined team of police tactical units, military personnel, and Benue State Civil Protection Guards was deployed to the scene.

The driver and 10 passengers remain missing

The team combed the surrounding bush and successfully rescued Paul Terna, but the driver and 10 passengers remain missing. “Additional reinforcements have been sent to the location to locate other passengers as soon as possible,” Edet stated, emphasizing ongoing efforts to track the abductees and apprehend the perpetrators.

Comrade Austin Agada, the Benue State APC Chairman, played a pivotal role in alerting authorities after passing the scene shortly after the attack. His swift action prompted a rapid response from security operatives, who are now intensifying search-and-rescue operations. Agada urged security agencies to expedite efforts, stating, “The people of Benue State deserve to feel safe, and it’s the government’s responsibility to ensure their security.”

We stand in solidarity with the families and loved ones of those affected and are actively collaborating with security agencies working diligently to secure the safe return of the abducted passengers and driver

Benue Links Nigeria Ltd. issued a statement expressing deep regret over the incident. Spokesperson Johnson Ehi confirmed that the bus, carrying 12 passengers and the driver, was attacked at approximately 6:30 p.m. “Benue Links Nigeria Limited strongly condemns the attack on her vehicle and passengers by criminal elements.

“We stand in solidarity with the families and loved ones of those affected and are actively collaborating with security agencies working diligently to secure the safe return of the abducted passengers and driver,” Ehi said.

The company commended the swift response of law enforcement and expressed confidence in their efforts to resolve the crisis.

The government must act decisively to end these attacks. Our people cannot continue to live in fear

The attack has reignited concerns about the safety of commuters on the Otukpo-Otukpa Road, a route notorious for armed robbery and kidnapping incidents. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to refer the escalating violence in Benue State to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation, citing serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

This latest incident follows a disturbing pattern of attacks on Benue Links buses, including a tragic April 2025 hijacking in Ikobi, Otukpo LGA, where the driver was killed, and passengers were abducted. Local leaders and residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the persistent insecurity.

“The government must act decisively to end these attacks. Our people cannot continue to live in fear,” said a community leader in Okpokwu.