Several passengers were reportedly abducted on Sunday evening after gunmen intercepted a commercial bus along the Eke axis in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to a community source, the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. when the attackers stopped the bus, robbed the passengers, and later took them into the nearby bush.
The vehicle was said to belong to the Benue State Transport Company, commonly known as Benue Links, though the company has yet to confirm this.
The Benue State Police Command, on Monday, confirmed the attack on a Hummer bus carrying passengers in the area.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene, said the command received a report of the incident and immediately deployed a joint team of police tactical units, military personnel, and members of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guard to the scene.
“On arrival, the team discovered the bus with registration number 14B-43BN abandoned by the roadside in Ugbokolo.
During a search operation in the surrounding bushes, one of the abducted passengers, identified as Paul Terna, was rescued,” the police spokesperson stated.
She added that a reinforcement team has been dispatched to intensify the search and ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.