Gunmen on Sunday intercepted a commercial bus travelling in the Eke axis in Benue State’s Okpokwu Local Government Area and abducted eleven passengers.
According to a neighbourhood source, the event occurred about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday when the gunmen intercepted the vehicle, “robbed the passengers and later whisked them away”.
According to the source, the ill-fated vehicle belonged to the Benue State Transport Company, also known as Benue Link.
However, the company’s management has yet to confirm this.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command on Monday confirmed the attack by the gunmen on a Hummer bus conveying passengers on Sunday in the same location.
Udeme Edet, the state command spokesperson, 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.
The PPRO 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 the 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.”