Armed men suspected to be kidnappers in Ikobi village, Otukpo local government area of Benue State, on Thursday, ambushed an 18-seater passenger bus, belonging to Benue Links, killing the driver, one passenger, and abducting the 13 occupants of the vehicle.
Local sources told our correspondent on telephone that the assailants ambushed the bus along the highway, shooting the driver on sight before forcibly taking the passengers into the bush, leaving a toddler behind.
Confirming the incident, the management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited said it regretted to announce the tragic attack on one of the buses in its fleet, bearing Registration Number PP512, which was en route to Otukpo from Makurdi, Benue State.
The management, in statement through the information officer of the company, Johnson Ehi, explained that the incident occurred in the evening of Thursday, April 3, 2025, near Otukpo Burnt Bricks.
According him, “regrettably, the driver of the 18-seater bus, Samuel Agege, and a front-seat passenger were fatally shot by the attackers. While the gunmen abduct the remaining passengers.”
He noted that out of the 18 passengers on board, one had earlier disembarked at Taraku town before the incident while three of the victims escaped.
“The management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and stands in solidarity with those whose loved ones are in captivity.
“We assure the general public that the management are in constant communication with security agencies, who are making concerted efforts to rescue the abducted passengers.
“The management however appreciate the swift response of the law enforcement agencies and express confidence in their ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted passengers.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the Benue State Police Spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, proved abortive as she was neither picking her telephone calls nor responding to text messages sent to her.
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