The management of the Benue State Transport Company, ‘Benue Links’ has confirmed that one of its buses was intercepted by gunmen on Sunday while traveling from Abeokuta, Ogun State to Makurdi.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the company’s Information Officer, Johnson Daniel, the vehicle had 12 passengers and a driver on board when it was attacked.
He stated that one passenger managed to escape and reported the incident at Eke Police Station.
The statement partly read: “We regret to inform the public of an unfortunate incident involving one of her buses, with Registration Number 14B-143BN, which was attacked while en route Makurdi from Abeokuta.
The attack occurred at about 6:30 pm on Sunday, 22nd June 2025, at Eke Elengbecho, in Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State.
The vehicle, which departed Abeokuta with 12 passengers and the driver, was later discovered by the roadside at Eke with some of the passengers’ luggage; however, the driver and 11 passengers were missing.
One passenger managed to escape and reach the Eke Police Station and reported that the bus was ambushed by armed kidnappers.”
While condemning the attack, the management assured the public that it is working closely with security agencies to secure the release of the abducted passengers and the driver.
Benue Police Command spokesperson, Udeme Edet, confirmed the abduction and said that combined security forces were actively combing the bush to rescue the victims.
Edet said: “We are investigating a suspected kidnapping where a Hummer bus with registration number 14B-43BN was parked by the road in Ugbokolo (Okpokwu LGA).
“On receipt of the information, police tactical teams, the military, and the Benue State Protection Guard arrived at the scene.
“They combed the bush and rescued one Paul Terna, who escaped from the hands of the suspected kidnappers.
“Additional reinforcement has been sent to locate the other passengers as soon as possible.”