At least 15 passengers have been abducted while one person was killed after gunmen, reportedly dressed in military uniforms, attacked a commercial vehicle in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue state.
Gatekeepers News reports that the incident, according to security-focused publication Zagazola Makama, happened on Sunday around 7:30 pm at Ado-Okpoga, along the busy Oju–Ado-Ekiti road, a major route linking Benue and Ekiti states that is frequently used by traders and travellers.
Sources said the vehicle, driven by 35-year-old Gbenga Peter, was conveying 23 passengers from Oju LGA in Benue to Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti state when it was stopped by nine armed men. The attackers, who were said to be wearing army uniforms, opened fire and forced passengers out of the bus before dragging 15 of them into the surrounding forest.
“On reaching Ado-Okpoga, the bus was attacked by nine unknown armed bandits wearing army uniforms. Fifteen passengers were abducted into the bush,” a source was quoted as saying.
One of the passengers was reportedly shot dead during the attack, while the driver and eight others managed to escape. The survivors later reported the incident at the Okpokwu police station.
Security sources said the divisional police officer in the area has deployed patrol teams and launched search operations in nearby forests to locate and rescue the kidnapped victims. Efforts are also said to be ongoing to track the attackers and prevent further incidents along the route.
The incident could not be independently confirmed as attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Benue state police command, Udeme Edet, through calls and messages were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The attack adds to growing concerns over insecurity and rising cases of abduction along major highways in Benue and neighbouring states, especially on routes linking North-Central and South-West regions.
