All abducted Benue bus passengers rescued after joint security operation

All 18 passengers abducted from a Benue Links bus on April 15, 2026, have been rescued following a joint operation by security agencies, authorities in Benue State have said.

The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, disclosed this on Sunday while presenting 15 of the victims to Governor Hyacinth Alia at the Government House in Makurdi.

Emenari said the operation, carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, led to the safe recovery of all those abducted. He described the outcome as a significant breakthrough, adding that seven suspects linked to the incident had been arrested through intelligence driven efforts and were now in custody.

The victims are expected to receive medical attention as investigations continue.

Governor Alia commended security operatives and local communities for their role in securing the release of the passengers. He also revealed that eight of those abducted were candidates of the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, who were travelling to Otukpo at the time of the attack.

The disclosure contrasts with earlier statements by both the police and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, which had indicated that no UTME candidates were among the victims.

One of the candidates, recounting her ordeal, said the abductors beat them with machetes and denied them food for three days. She added that the gunmen demanded ₦10 million from each victim’s family.

The passengers were abducted last Wednesday when gunmen intercepted a state owned Benue Links bus along the Benue Burnt Bricks area in Otukpo local government area, robbing passengers before taking several of them into the bush.

Security operatives launched a coordinated search across nearby communities, leading to the rescue of some victims, while two others managed to escape from captivity.

Police confirmed on Sunday morning that the remaining 13 victims had been freed, bringing the operation to a close.