Gunmen have attacked a Benue Links bus along the Ikobi axis of Otukpo Local Government Area in Benue State, killing the driver and a front-seat passenger, while abducting other occupants.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening near the defunct Benue Burnt Bricks Company, a known entry point into Otukpo township. The bus, belonging to the state government-owned Benue Links Nigeria Limited, was en route Makurdi to Otukpo when it was ambushed.

In a statement issued on Friday, the company’s information officer, Johnson Ehi Daniel, confirmed the attack and appreciated the swift response of law enforcement agencies, expressing confidence in ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted passengers.

“Benue Links Nigeria Limited regrets to announce the tragic attack on one of its buses, bearing registration number, PP512. The incident occurred in the evening of Thursday, April 3, 2025, near Otukpo Burnt Bricks when armed assailants ambushed the vehicle.

“Regrettably, the driver of the 18-seater bus, Mr Samuel Agege and a front-seat passenger were shot by the attackers. While the gunmen attempted to abduct the remaining passengers, three individuals managed to escape, and another had disembarked earlier at Taraku town before the incident,” the statement reads.

The management of the transport company expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and pledged continued cooperation with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted passengers.

Confirming the attack, the chairman of Otukpo Local Government, Maxwell Ogiri, told journalists in Makurdi that the bus was ambushed Thursday night. He confirmed the deaths of the driver and one passenger, and said five others were abducted.

Efforts to reach the police public relations officer for Benue State command, CSP Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful as she did not respond to multiple calls and messages seeking her comment.