Police operatives in Benue State have rescued 19 passengers who were abducted by suspected armed bandits along the Ohimini–Otukpo Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state. The victims were freed without the payment of ransom after a swift response by security operatives.
The abduction occurred in the early hours of Sunday, December 22, when gunmen mounted a roadblock around the Mechanic Village area along the Ohimini–Otukpo corridor. The attackers stopped two commercial vehicles travelling through the area and forcefully took passengers into the surrounding forest.
Security sources said the incident was reported to the police at about 2:00 a.m., prompting an immediate response from law enforcement agencies.
One of the affected vehicles was a Toyota Hiace bus travelling from Oju in Benue State to Ibadan, Oyo State. The bus was carrying nine passengers at the time of the attack. The armed men reportedly stopped the vehicle, threatened the occupants, and marched them into nearby bushes.
Another vehicle involved in the attack was a Toyota Hummer bus owned by Plateau Riders Company. The bus was driven by Igoche John, who is from Jos, Plateau State. It was travelling from Jos to Bayelsa State with 11 passengers on board when it was intercepted by the gunmen.
The attackers reportedly blocked the road, creating fear and confusion among motorists before carrying out the abduction. Residents of the area said the Ohimini–Otukpo Road is often deserted at night, making it vulnerable to criminal activities.
Following the distress call, police authorities in Benue State quickly mobilised patrol teams and tactical units to the scene. Officers advanced into the area and conducted a thorough search of nearby bushes and forest paths where the kidnappers were believed to have fled with their victims.
According to security sources, the heavy police presence and intense search operations put pressure on the attackers, forcing them to abandon the captives and flee into the forest. As a result, 19 passengers were rescued alive and unharmed.
The rescued victims were taken to a safe location, where they were questioned by the police to gather information about the incident and the attackers. After preliminary checks and medical attention where necessary, they were cleared and allowed to continue their journeys.
Police sources confirmed that no ransom was paid for the release of the victims, describing the rescue as a success for security efforts in the area.
However, one passenger is still believed to be in the custody of the kidnappers. The missing individual was identified as Boniface Ndukwe, a resident of Jos, Plateau State. Police authorities said efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue him safely.
“The operation is still ongoing,” a security source said. “We are intensifying efforts to track down the suspects and ensure that the remaining victim is rescued.”
The Ohimini–Otukpo Road is an important route linking parts of Benue State to neighbouring states. In recent years, however, travellers have raised concerns over insecurity along the road, especially at night.
Benue State, like several other states in the North-Central region, has faced security challenges ranging from kidnapping to armed robbery. Travellers using highways at odd hours are often advised to be cautious due to reports of criminal activity.
In response to rising concerns, the Benue State Police Command has repeatedly assured residents and travellers of its commitment to improving security across the state. The command has increased patrols on major highways and black spots identified as prone to criminal attacks.
This latest rescue operation has been welcomed by residents, who praised the police for their quick action. Many described the outcome as a relief, especially given the increasing cases of highway kidnappings across the country.
Some residents of Ohimini Local Government Area called on the government to deploy more security personnel to the area and ensure regular patrols, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours.
“This road is very important to us,” a local resident said. “People travel on it every day, and we need to feel safe.”
Transport operators have also expressed concern about the safety of drivers and passengers. Commercial drivers say repeated attacks could discourage night travel and affect their businesses.
Nigeria has witnessed a rise in kidnapping incidents in recent years, with travellers often targeted on highways. Criminal groups usually take advantage of poor lighting, bad road conditions, and limited security presence to carry out attacks.
The police have urged members of the public to report suspicious movements and criminal activities promptly. According to the authorities, timely information from residents can help prevent attacks or allow for quicker responses when incidents occur.
As investigations continue, police say they are working to identify and arrest the suspects behind the Benue attack. Efforts are also being made to dismantle criminal hideouts in the forests around the Ohimini–Otukpo axis.
For now, the successful rescue of the 19 passengers has brought relief to their families and highlighted the importance of rapid security intervention. However, the focus remains on rescuing the remaining victim and ensuring that such incidents are reduced in the future.