Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A major breakthrough has been recorded in Benue State’s ongoing battle against highway kidnappings after the Nigeria Police Force confirmed the rescue of all passengers abducted along the Makurdi–Otukpo road, including candidates preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), alongside the arrest of suspects linked to the attack.
The incident occurred on April 15, 2026, when armed attackers intercepted a Benue Links commercial bus travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo. The vehicle, carrying about 18 passengers, was ambushed in the evening hours, with the gunmen forcing victims into a nearby forest after blocking the road. Among those taken were young students heading to Otukpo to sit for their JAMB examinations.
Initial reports confirmed that at least 14 to 15 passengers were abducted during the attack, while a few managed to escape, including the driver in some accounts. The incident immediately triggered a coordinated response from security agencies, including the police and military units operating in the area, who launched search-and-rescue operations in surrounding forests.
Authorities later confirmed that the rescue operation was successful, with all abducted passengers recovered alive after several days in captivity. The victims were reportedly found in forested areas within Benue State after sustained intelligence-led tracking and joint operations by security forces. Some of the victims were said to have received medical attention following their ordeal due to exhaustion and trauma.
The Benue State Police Command also announced a significant development in the case, confirming the arrest of seven suspects believed to be connected to the kidnapping operation. The arrests were made through coordinated intelligence efforts, which security officials described as a breakthrough in ongoing investigations into criminal networks operating along the Makurdi–Otukpo axis.
Police authorities said the suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation to determine their roles in the abduction and to uncover wider connections to other kidnapping incidents in the region. Investigators are also working to identify additional members of the gang who may still be at large.
The rescue of the victims comes after several days of joint search operations involving the police, military under Operation Whirl Stroke, and other local security formations. These operations focused on forested and remote areas believed to be hideouts for armed groups operating in parts of Benue State.
Earlier accounts of the incident indicated that the attackers struck around the Makurdi–Otukpo highway, a route that has increasingly become vulnerable to kidnapping incidents in recent years. Witness reports suggested that the attackers blocked the road, stopped the bus, and forcibly marched passengers into the bush. The attack raised renewed concerns over the safety of commuters, particularly students traveling for national examinations.
State authorities, including the Benue State Governor, strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a cruel and unacceptable assault on innocent citizens. The government immediately ordered security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure the safe return of the abducted passengers.
Security officials also confirmed that the victims were not part of an organised convoy but rather passengers on a commercial bus, a clarification issued to correct earlier misinformation circulating in some reports. This distinction was important in understanding the nature of the attack and the vulnerability of ordinary road users in the region.
The Makurdi–Otukpo road has witnessed repeated cases of armed robbery and kidnapping, with security analysts pointing to its isolated stretches and forest cover as contributing factors. In several past incidents, armed groups have targeted commercial vehicles, often demanding ransom for the release of abducted passengers.
The latest rescue operation has been described by security sources as a coordinated intelligence success, reflecting improved collaboration between agencies in responding to kidnapping threats. However, officials have also acknowledged that the broader security challenge in the region remains significant, with criminal groups still active in parts of Benue State.
The rescued UTME candidates have since been reunited with their families, with some taken for medical evaluation after spending days in captivity. Authorities have assured that further investigations will continue to dismantle kidnapping networks operating in the area and prevent future attacks.
While this operation marks a positive outcome in terms of rescue and arrests, security experts say it also highlights the persistent insecurity along major highways in central Nigeria and the urgent need for sustained intervention to protect commuters, especially vulnerable groups like students.
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