Benue State Police Command has confirmed the hijack of a Benue Links bus and abduction of all its passengers by gunmen along the Eke, Ugbokolo Road in Okpokwu local government area of Benue State on Sunday evening.
An eyewitnesses who spoke to our correspondent on phone said, the incident occurred at about 7p.m on Sunday, when the bus, coming from Abeokuta, Ogun State capital was waylaid by unknown gunmen, and robbed the occupants of their valuables before whisking them away into the nearby bush.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue Command, Edet Udeme revealed that the incident involved a Toyota bus with registration number 14B-143BN, which was found abandoned by the roadside in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu local government area.
According to the PPRO, upon receiving the distress information, police tactical teams in collaboration with the military and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, swiftly mobilised to the scene.
“During the combing of the surrounding forest, the team rescued one of the victims, identified as Paul Terns, who managed to escape from the abductors.
The PPRO said additional reinforcements have been deployed to the area to intensify the search for the remaining passengers and ensure their safe return.
The command also urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations by security operatives.