All 18 passengers abducted from a Benue Links bus on April 15, 2026, have been successfully rescued following a coordinated security operation, authorities have confirmed.
The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, announced the development on Sunday while presenting 15 of the freed victims to governor Hyacinth Alia at the Government House in Makurdi.
He said the remaining victims had also been recovered, bringing the total to 18.
Emenari explained that the rescue was achieved through joint efforts of security agencies, adding that seven suspects connected to the kidnapping had been arrested as part of ongoing investigations.
According to him, the arrests were made based on credible intelligence, and the suspects are currently in custody for further questioning.
Governor Alia, reacting to the development, praised the security operatives and local support networks for their swift response, which led to the safe return of all abducted passengers.
He further disclosed that eight of the victims were candidates sitting for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and were en route to Otukpo when the attack occurred.
This clarification comes amid earlier conflicting reports from security authorities and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which had stated that no UTME candidates were involved.
The incident occurred last Wednesday when armed men ambushed the state-owned Benue Links bus along the Benue Burnt Bricks axis in Otukpo Local Government Area, robbing passengers before forcing several into nearby bushes.
Following the attack, security agencies launched a search-and-rescue operation across surrounding communities, which led to the gradual recovery of victims, including two who initially escaped from captivity.
Police confirmed that the final 13 passengers were freed on Sunday morning, concluding the rescue mission.