Security operatives, including troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have successfully rescued the remaining 13 passengers who were abducted on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Benue State. The rescue operation culminated in the early hours of Sunday, with the victims recovered from a forest in Okete Ward, Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State. Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Ifeanyi Enemari, confirmed the development, stating that the victims were on their way to Makurdi for further briefing and a planned news conference.

The abduction occurred when gunmen intercepted a Benue Links commercial bus along the Benue Burnt Bricks axis in Otukpo Local Government Area, specifically around Ikobi, near Otukpo. The assailants robbed the passengers before whisking several of them into the bush. Initial police reports indicated that 14 passengers were abducted, with one managing to escape shortly after the incident. By Friday, five victims had been rescued, leaving 13 still in captivity before the final operation.

Those rescued include Hycent Oko (56), Elaiguli Joshua (25), Orili Raphael (29), Sunday Augustine (18), Emmanuel Elaicha (21), Gbile Nguyor Daniel (18), Ukacha Tersoo (18), Nyikwagh Aoridakator (22), Iornav Ngukuhan (18), Nyikwagh Benjamin (18), Buker Agatha (19), Paul Wende (29), and Akor Jessica (19). Upon their rescue, the victims were immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Otukpo, to receive medical attention for injuries sustained during their captivity.

The rescue operation followed a series of coordinated security efforts, including extensive search operations in forested areas and the arrest of suspects linked to the attack. Police had earlier announced that seven suspects were in custody, describing the arrests as a “significant breakthrough” in dismantling the kidnapping network. Police spokesperson Udeme Edet, in a statement, reiterated the ongoing efforts to secure the release of all victims.

The incident garnered significant attention, partly due to conflicting accounts regarding the identity of the victims. While early reports suggested many were young people traveling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Otukpo, both the police and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) initially clarified that the passengers were not part of any organized convoy of candidates, with JAMB stating none of its registered candidates were officially listed among the victims.

However, relatives of some of those abducted strongly disputed the official position. A family member, requesting anonymity, insisted that several victims, including his nephew whose exam was scheduled for April 16, 2026, were indeed traveling for their JAMB examinations. He stated, “My nephew was on that bus, and he was heading to Otukpo for his JAMB examination. In fact, most of the passengers were candidates.” The relative condemned JAMB’s statement as “disturbing and dismissive,” linking the incident to the board’s “problematic posting system” which often requires candidates to travel long distances, thereby exposing them to risks. He urged JAMB to retract its statement and show empathy towards the affected families.

This abduction is part of a broader pattern of escalating insecurity in Benue State, which has seen a recent surge in attacks, kidnappings, and killings across several local government areas, including Otukpo, Apa, and Gwer East. Authorities have affirmed that investigations into the bus attack are ongoing, with security agencies continuing their efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating along major routes in the state.