Driver shot as gunmen abduct 14 passengers in Benue highway

Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred on Thursday night, according to Orchia Aondongu, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command.

Aondongu said the police commenced a coordinated rescue operation on Friday morning, resulting in the rescue of five of the victims.

He said the rescued victims included a four-year-old boy, while nine others remained in the custody of the suspected kidnappers.

“One of the five rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury during the rescue operation and was immediately rushed to a medical facility in Otukpo, where he is currently receiving medical attention,” the statement reads.

“Operatives of the Command, in collaboration with sister security agencies, are intensifying efforts to safely rescue the remaining nine victims.

“The operation is being conducted with utmost caution, with the lives and safety of the victims as the primary objective.

“The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu, psc(+), mnips, PhD, acknowledges the concerns of the families of the affected persons and the general public and assures them that concerted efforts are being made to secure the safe rescue of those still in captivity.”

Aondongu urged members of the public, particularly residents within and around the affected communities, to remain calm and vigilant.

He also urged residents to promptly provide the police with credible information that could assist the ongoing operation and help prevent similar incidents in the future.

The police spokesperson said the command would continue to provide updates as developments unfold.

Meanwhile, the driver of the vehicle, who sustained a gunshot injury during the attack, has recounted how the incident occurred.

In a video shared on social media, the driver said he was travelling from Enugu to Abuja and arrived in Otukpo, Benue State, at about 6pm on Thursday.

He said the gunmen ambushed his vehicle along the road, opened fire and shot two of the vehicle’s tyres before abducting some of the passengers.

The driver said he was shot in the left leg while trying to keep the vehicle under control and was later attacked with a cutlass by one of the assailants after he attempted to escape.

According to him, the attackers ordered the passengers to lie on the ground before making them line up and taking some of them into the bush.

The driver said because he could barely walk due to his gunshot wound, the kidnappers told him to return to the vehicle instead of taking him into the bush.