April 19, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel News Desk
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully rescued all 13 remaining passengers abducted from a Benue Links commercial bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo Road earlier this week.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped on April 15, 2026, when armed men attacked the bus, robbing passengers before whisking several of them into a nearby forest.
According to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the remaining abductees were rescued in the early hours of Sunday during a coordinated search-and-rescue operation in a forest located in Okete Ward, Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security operatives confirmed that the rescued passengers included a mix of adults and young students, some of whom were preparing for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Among those rescued are Hycent Oko (56), Elaiguli Joshua (25), Orili Raphael (29), Sunday Augustine (18), Emmanuel Elaicha (21), and several others aged between 18 and 29.
The victims were immediately evacuated to the General Hospital in Otukpo, where medical personnel are currently treating them for injuries and trauma sustained during captivity.
Earlier reports indicated that five passengers had been freed, while 13 remained in the custody of the abductors before the final rescue operation was carried out.
Security authorities also confirmed that eight of the victims were UTME candidates who were en route to Otukpo for their examination when they were abducted.
The Benue State Police Command had previously announced the arrest of seven suspects believed to be linked to the kidnapping incident, describing the breakthrough as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.
Police spokesperson Udeme Edet said the coordinated response involving multiple security agencies played a key role in tracking down the kidnappers and securing the release of the victims.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the kidnapping gang and prevent further attacks along the Makurdi–Otukpo highway, a route that has witnessed repeated incidents of armed abduction in recent times.
The Nigerian Army has reiterated its commitment to sustaining search-and-rescue operations and strengthening security across vulnerable transport corridors in Benue State and surrounding regions.
