Benue Attack: 5 passengers rescued, 13 still in captivity – Police 

The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, CP Ifeanyi Enemari, on Friday confirmed that five victims have been rescued while 13 others remain in captivity following an attack on a Benue Links bus travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo in Benue State. Enemari, in an interview with our correspondent in Makurdi on Friday, said security operatives […]

The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, CP Ifeanyi Enemari, on Friday confirmed that five victims have been rescued while 13 others remain in captivity following an attack on a Benue Links bus travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo in Benue State.

Enemari, in an interview with our correspondent in Makurdi on Friday, said security operatives were intensifying efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims.

He explained that a total of 18 passengers, including the driver, were in the bus, out of which three were abandoned and 15 taken hostage while one later escaped, leaving 14 victims as of Thursday.

However, one more victim was rescued on Friday morning, bringing the total number of those rescued to five and leaving 13 still in captivity.

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“We are on top of the situation. I was in Otukpo yesterday (Thursday) to coordinate the rescue operation. Currently, my Officer in Charge of Operations is on ground in Otukpo with all tactical teams, including the IGP Intelligence Response Team and our anti-kidnapping unit,” the CP said.

He disclosed that about five tactical teams had been deployed to the area and expressed confidence that the victims would be rescued soon.

“Already, some victims have been rescued, debriefed, and reunited with their families. We are working to ensure that all those still in captivity are freed in no distant time,” he added.

The commissioner, however, clarified that earlier reports suggesting that 18 candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) were kidnapped were inaccurate.

He said that of all passengers aboard the Benue Links bus abducted before entering Otukpo two days ago, only a few of them might have been JAMB candidates.

“The claim that all the victims were JAMB candidates is not correct. The driver picked up passengers along the road, and those rescued so far are not JAMB candidates.

“However, we suspect that one or two of those still in captivity may be candidates,” he said.

Enemari further explained that the bus had 18 passengers, out of which five were freed – three were not taken by the kidnappers, while two escaped – leaving 13 still in captivity.

He also confirmed that one of the escapees, who had come for police recruitment screening, is now safe and stable.

The police boss assured residents that ongoing security operations would continue until all victims are rescued and the perpetrators apprehended.

“We will not relent until the last victim is freed. We have put in place measures to flush out criminal elements from the area. Our tactical teams are also conducting clearing operations across the state, including in Apa, Logo, and Kwande local government areas,” he said.

He added that recent operations had also covered the Katsina-Ala/Ukum axis, as security agencies move to curb rising insecurity ahead of the farming season.