In a tragic turn of events on Thursday evening, a Benue Links bus carrying passengers through Otukpo Local Government Area came under heavy attack by unknown gunmen.
The shocking incident, which occurred near the Otukpo Burnt Bricks area, left two people dead—including the bus driver—while 14 others were kidnapped and whisked away into the nearby forest.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident in a press release on Friday, with spokesperson SP Sewuese Anene providing a detailed account of the harrowing events.
According to Anene, the police, in collaboration with the State Civil Protection Guard, quickly responded to distress calls and arrived at the scene to find the driver and a passenger critically injured. Sadly, both were confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital.
The kidnappers, heavily armed and ruthless, had taken the remaining passengers hostage, vanishing into the surrounding forest. But the police were not ready to back down.
By the following day—Friday, April 4—the rescue team, acting on intelligence, tracked the kidnappers deep into the forest. A fierce gun battle broke out, with the superior firepower of the police forcing the criminals to flee, abandoning their captives in the process.
Tragically, two of the hostages had already suffered machete wounds, and one succumbed to the injuries after being taken to the hospital. The remaining 13 rescued passengers are now receiving treatment and recovering from the traumatic ordeal.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Steve Yabanet, expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and vowed to bring the attackers to justice. He also urged residents of Otukpo to stay vigilant and report any individuals with suspicious gunshot wounds, as several of the bandits are believed to have been injured during the shootout.
This incident is a chilling reminder of the growing security challenges facing travelers on Nigerian roads, and the bravery of the security operatives who risk everything to protect lives.
Stay safe, stay informed. Follow NIGPOST for timely updates and real stories affecting lives across Nigeria.
If you witness any suspicious activity, report immediately to the nearest police station.
Leave a Reply