Gunmen kidnap 15 travellers on Makurdi–Otukpo road, police begin rescue efforts

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of 15 passengers by suspected gunmen on the Makurdi–Otukpo highway.

According to sources, the onslaught took spot connected April 15, 2026, astir 8:30 p.m., erstwhile a Benue Links driver, Peter Ikwe, alerted the Divisional Police Officer successful Otukpo astir the incident.

The driver, who was operating a Toyota Hiace autobus with registration fig BGT 224 SA en way from Makurdi to Otukpo, reportedly had 18 passengers onboard erstwhile the conveyance was ambushed adjacent to the Operation Whirl Stroke barracks.

Sources disclosed that the attackers barricaded the road and dragged 15 passengers into the adjacent bush, portion a fewer others managed to flee.

After receiving the distress report, the DPO promptly deployed patrol and tactical teams to the location, portion associated information operatives began combing surrounding bushes to find the victims and way down the kidnappers.

The constabulary bid besides revealed that its Anti-Kidnapping Unit has launched a afloat probe into the attack.

It assured that much accusation would beryllium released arsenic the rescue ngo progresses.

Gunmen kidnap 15 travellers connected Makurdi–Otukpo r...