14 Kidnapped in Benue, 5 Rescued in Gunmen Ambush

Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling along the Otukpo–Adoka road in Benue State, with the police confirming that five of the victims have so far been rescued. The incident occurred on Thursday night when an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja was reportedly ambushed along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.

A resident, Ochai, who spoke with our correspondent on Friday, said the gunmen forced all the passengers into the surrounding forest. Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, in a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi, said the police launched a coordinated rescue operation early Friday.

Aondongu said the operation involved an exchange of gunfire between the security operatives and the kidnappers. The police boss said, “The Benue State Police Command has confirmed a kidnapping incident involving a commercial passenger bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area on the night of 13 August 2026. US missionary regains freedom after nine months in Niger captivity Kidnap gang member arrested over N1.6m AK-47 purchase in Kwara State police: More details, please

“Following the incident, operatives of the command commenced a coordinated rescue operation early this (Friday) morning. The operation, which involved an exchange of gunfire, has so far resulted in the successful rescue of five victims, including a four-year-old boy, while nine others remain in the custody of the suspected kidnappers.”

The police spokesperson disclosed that one of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury during the operation and was taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment. He said the police, working with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to secure the release of the remaining nine victims.

According to Aondongu, the operation was being conducted cautiously, with the safety of the abducted passengers prioritised. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, also assured the victims’ families and members of the public that efforts would continue until the remaining passengers were rescued.

He urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information that could aid the rescue operation.

The latest incident comes amid growing concerns over insecurity in Otukpo and Ohimini local government areas, where residents have reported a series of killings and kidnappings in recent weeks. The incident has left many wondering how kidnappers continue to operate freely in the region despite the presence of security forces. In recent times, there have been growing concerns over the rising cases of kidnapping in Benue State. The state government has launched several operations to combat the menace, but the kidnappers seem to always be one step ahead. The incident highlights the challenges faced by security agencies in the country in combating the menace of kidnapping. In the midst of these security concerns, the people of Otukpo and Ohimini local government areas are calling on the government to take decisive action to restore peace and security to the region. The recent kidnappings have left many residents living in fear of their lives. The people are calling on the government to provide adequate security to protect them from the kidnappers. The security situation in the region is a major concern to many residents, who feel that it is getting worse by the day. The kidnappings have disrupted economic activities in the region and have led to a significant decline in investments. The people of Otukpo and Ohimini local government areas are also calling on the government to review its security strategies to prevent such incidents in the future. Residents have been calling for the deployment of more security personnel to the region to combat the menace of kidnapping. The kidnappings have left many families in trauma, and the people are calling on the government to provide support to the affected families.