By John Moses
A public transport bus travelling in Nigeria’s Benue State has been hijacked by unidentified gunmen, with 11 passengers and the driver reportedly abducted, according to local police and transport officials.
The attack occurred on Sunday evening near Eke Elengbecho in Okpokwu Local Government Area. The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued Monday, stating that tactical police units, military forces, and civil protection guards had been deployed in a rescue operation.
Police spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet said the bus, operated by Benue Links Nigeria Ltd, was discovered abandoned at the roadside in Ugbokolo, with some passengers’ belongings left behind. One passenger, identified as Paul Terna, managed to escape and alerted the police.
“The rescued victim confirmed the vehicle was ambushed by armed kidnappers. Efforts are ongoing to locate the missing persons,” Edet said, adding that reinforcements had been dispatched to the area to assist in the search.
Benue Links spokesperson Johnson Ehi also confirmed the attack, revealing that the bus was travelling from Abeokuta to Makurdi with 12 passengers and a driver when it came under attack. The transport company condemned the abduction and pledged full cooperation with security services working to secure the victims’ release.
