The management of Benue State Transport Company, also known as Benue Links Nigeria Limited, has confirmed that the passengers’ bus intercepted on Sunday by gunmen was coming from Abeokuta, Ogun State, and en route to Makurdi.
In a statement issued on Monday by the company’s Information Officer, Johnson Daniel made available to journalists in Makurdi, said that the 12 passengers and the driver were on board when the vehicle was intercepted.
He, however, stated that one passenger managed to escape and reported the incident to the police at Eke police station.
The statement read partly, “We regret to inform the public of an unfortunate incident involving one of her buses, with Registration Number 14B-143BN, which was attacked while en route Makurdi from Abeokuta. “The attack occurred at about 6:30 pm on Sunday, 22nd June 2025, at Eke Elengbecho, in Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State.
“The vehicle, which departed Abeokuta with 12 passengers and the driver, was later discovered by the roadside at Eke with some of the passengers’ luggage; however, the driver and 11 passengers were missing. ” One passenger managed to escape and reach the Eke Police Station and reported that the bus was ambushed by armed kidnappers.
While condemning the attack on her vehicle and passengers, the management assured that it is collaborating with security agencies to secure the safe return of the abducted passengers and the driver. The Benue Police Command spokesperson, Udeme Edet said that the command received information on the abducted passengers and added that the combined security operatives were combing the bush to rescue the kidnapped victims.
Edet said, “We are investigating a suspected kidnapping where a Hummer bus with registration number 14B-43BN was parked by the road in Ugbokolo, (Okpokwu LGA) “On receipt of the information, police tactical teams, military and Benue State Protection Guard arrived at the scene.
“They combed the bush and rescued one Paul Terna, who escaped from the hands of the suspected kidnappers. “Additional reinforcement has been sent to locate other passengers as soon as possible.”
