In a distressing incident in Benue State, gunmen abducted a driver and eleven passengers aboard a commercial bus belonging to Benue Links, the state government’s transport company. The attack occurred on Sunday evening, June 22, 2025, around 6:30 p.m., along the Eke axis of Okpokwu Local Government Area, specifically at Eke Elengbecho. The bus, bearing registration number 14B-143BN (though a police report briefly mentioned 14B-43BN), was en route to Makurdi from Abeokuta in Ogun State when it was ambushed by armed kidnappers.

According to Ehi Johnson, the Public Relations Officer for Benue Links Nigeria Limited, the bus had departed Abeokuta with twelve passengers and the driver. Following the attack, the vehicle was later discovered abandoned by the roadside at Eke, with some passengers' luggage still inside. However, the driver and eleven passengers were found to be missing. One of the passengers, identified as Paul Terns, managed to escape the scene and promptly reported the incident to the Eke Police Station, providing crucial information that aided subsequent rescue efforts.

Benue Links Nigeria Limited swiftly issued a statement condemning the heinous attack, expressing profound regret and solidarity with the families and loved ones of those affected. The company assured the public of its active collaboration with security agencies, who are working diligently to secure the safe return of the abducted individuals. The transport company commended the swift response from law enforcement agencies and conveyed confidence in their ongoing efforts to resolve the distressing situation.

Law enforcement agencies, including police tactical teams, military personnel, local youths, vigilante groups from surrounding villages, and the Benue State Protection Guard, were immediately alerted and deployed to the location. Upon receiving the information, these teams combed the surrounding bushes, leading to the rescue of Paul Terns, who had initially escaped from the kidnappers. DSP Udeme Edet, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, confirmed the incident and the rescue, stating that additional reinforcements had been dispatched to the area to intensify the search for the remaining missing passengers and the driver.

This incident is not isolated, as Benue State has witnessed a series of security challenges. Notably, this abduction follows a similar event in April, where fourteen passengers of a Benue Links bus were abducted in Otukpo LGA. That previous attack tragically resulted in the deaths of the driver and one passenger, though others were rescued after a gun battle between police operatives and the kidnappers. The recurring nature of such incidents underscores the persistent security concerns in the region.