The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of 14 travellers along the Otukpo–Adoka road in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.
The victims were reportedly abducted on Thursday night after gunmen ambushed an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja.
A local resident, Ochai, told The PUNCH in a telephone interview on Friday that the attack occurred between Omutele and Ankpechi along the Otukpo–Adoka road.
He said the gunmen intercepted the bus and forced all the passengers out of the vehicle before taking them into the surrounding area.
The state police spokesperson, Peter Aondongu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, saying 14 passengers were on board the bus when it was attacked.
He said police operatives launched a coordinated rescue operation early on Friday following the abduction.
According to Aondongu, the operation involved an exchange of gunfire with the suspected kidnappers and resulted in the rescue of five victims, including a four-year-old boy.
He said nine other victims remained in the custody of the suspected kidnappers.
“One of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury during the rescue operation and was immediately rushed to a medical facility in Otukpo, where he is currently receiving medical attention,” Aondongu said.
He added that police operatives, working with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to locate and rescue the remaining victims.
Aondongu said the operation was being conducted with caution, with the safety of the abducted travellers as the primary consideration.
The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiogbu, assured the victims’ families and members of the public that security agencies were working to secure the safe release of the remaining nine hostages.
