Police rescue 14 kidnapped passengers in Benue after gun battle

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Benue Police Command has rescued 14 out of the 18 passengers kidnapped on Thursday in Ikobi, near Benue Burnt Brick  Otukpo town in Benue state.

The Benue Police Command in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Sewuese Aneene, said one passenger has been confirmed dead ,bringing the  total of those who died in the unfortunate incident  to four .

It was obtained that gunmen opened fire on a 18- passenger seater bus belonging to Benue Links Nigeria Limited, a state owned transport company on Thursday.

The driver of the vehicle Samuel Agege was shot and slain at the spot before the passengers were taken into the deep forest.

The statement stresses, ”A team launched a search for the kidnapped victims within the nearby forest immediately. On 4/4/2025 at about 1500hrs they sighted the bandits in the forest and  engaged them in a gun duel.

“The superior firepower of the police subdued  them and they took to their heels abandoning their captives.

“Unfortunately, they had inflicted matchet cuts on two of the victims before the rescue.

“Fourteen (14) victims were rescued and taken to the hospital where one was confirmed dead and others are currently receiving treatment.”

However, the Commissioner of Police, Benue state command, CP. Steve H. Yabanet FCID, psc (+) has commiserated with families of the three passengers that lost their lives in this dastardly incident and pledge his commitment to bring perpetrators to book.

He thereby enjoined the residents of Otukpo to look out for suspects with gunshot injuries and report to the police, noting that “Many of these bandits received gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire.”