Security operatives have rescued the remaining passengers abducted by gunmen along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Benue State, bringing relief to families and communities affected by the incident.
The rescue operation was confirmed by the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Ifeanyi Emenari, who disclosed that all 13 victims still in captivity had been freed following sustained efforts by security forces.
The victims were among passengers travelling in a Benue Links commercial bus when armed men attacked the vehicle on Wednesday night, abducting several occupants, including young men and women reportedly heading to Otukpo.
Initial reports suggested that some of those abducted were candidates scheduled to sit for the ongoing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). While JAMB had earlier denied that any of its candidates were among the victims, subsequent confirmations indicated that at least eight of those kidnapped were indeed examination candidates.
A relative of one of the victims, who spoke anonymously, challenged the earlier denial, stating that many of the passengers were travelling for the examination.
“My nephew was on that bus heading to Otukpo for his JAMB exam. Most of the passengers were candidates, which is why they travelled that evening to meet up with their scheduled papers,” the source said.
The incident had earlier seen five victims rescued, with the remaining 13 held captive until their eventual release by a combined team of security personnel.
Reacting to the successful operation, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar commended troops of Operation Whirl Stroke for their bravery and professionalism.
In a statement shared on social media, Atiku praised the security forces for their swift intervention, noting that the rescue of the victims, particularly young students preparing for national examinations, was both timely and commendable.
He added that the efforts of the troops continue to inspire confidence among Nigerians, even as security challenges persist in parts of the country.
Atiku, however, stressed the need for further strengthening of Nigeria’s security architecture to prevent similar incidents, especially along major transport routes.
The attack and subsequent rescue have once again highlighted concerns over the safety of travellers in parts of the North-Central region, as authorities face growing pressure to curb incidents of kidnapping and violent crime.
