Presidency Reveals Details on Benue Kidnapping Incident

The presidency has disclosed information regarding the abduction of passengers in Benue State, which occurred on April 15, when armed men intercepted a bus traveling along the Makurdi-Otukpo highway. Seventeen passengers were on board, with 14 taken by the kidnappers and three managing to escape during the attack.

The incident has highlighted a growing pattern of violence driven by local criminal groups rather than external armed networks. Governor Hyacinth Alia confirmed that at least eight of the abducted individuals were students preparing for their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

Following the incident, security forces launched a rescue operation, which led to the recovery of 13 passengers on April 19 in the Ohimini local government area. The victims were subsequently taken to a general hospital in Otukpo for treatment of injuries sustained during their captivity.