Armed Plow the Benue Links Bus, Reduced Passengers

Armed people on Sunday night hijacked the Benue bus connecting Nigeria Limited Bus and kidnapped the passengers on the ship.

Spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday in Makurdi.

Edet, however, said a passenger then fled the kidnappers.

He said: “We are investigating the alleged kidnapping in which the Hummer boss with a registration number of 14B-43BN is parked on the road in Ugbokolo.

“When receiving information, the police tactical team, military, and guardian of the Benue state civil protection arrived at the scene; they combed the bush and rescued a Paul Terna, who fled from the hands of suspected kidnappers.

“Additional reinforcements have been sent to the location to find other passengers as soon as possible.”

Transportation company management has also confirmed the incident.

Company spokesman, Mr. Johnson Ehi said in a statement that 11 passengers and drivers were still missing.

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“Benue connects Nigeria Limited regretted to tell the public about the Malang incident involving one of his buses, with a registration number of 14B-143 billion, which was attacked while on his way from Abeokuta to Makurdi.

“The attack occurred at around 18:30 on Sunday, June 22, in Elengbecho, in the OKPOKWU Regional Government in the state of Benue.

“The vehicle, who departed Abeokuta with 12 passengers and drivers, was then found by the roadside in Eke with several passenger luggage items; However, the driver and 11 passengers were missing.

“A passenger managed to escape and reach the Eke police station and reported that the bus was ambushed by armed kidnappers,” Ehi said.

The company is very condemning the attack on its vehicles and passengers with criminal elements.

“We stand in solidarity with family and loved ones from those affected, and we convince the public that we actively collaborate with security institutions.

“Security agencies work diligently to ensure safe returns from kidnapped passengers and drivers.

“We praise the rapid response of law enforcement agencies and expressed trust in their ongoing efforts to bring this troublesome situation to a safe and fast resolution,” the spokesman added.