April 19, (THEWILL) — All victims of last Wednesday’s attack on a Benue Links bus in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State have been rescued, while seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, the police have confirmed.
The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Ifeanyi Emenari, made the disclosure on Sunday while presenting 15 of the rescued victims to Governor Hyacinth Alia at the Government House in Makurdi.
Emenari said the successful rescue followed a coordinated effort involving multiple security agencies, leading to the safe recovery of all 18 abducted passengers and the apprehension of seven individuals suspected to be connected to the attack. He described the arrests as a significant breakthrough, noting that they were achieved through sustained intelligence gathering and tactical operations.
According to the police commissioner, the suspects are currently in custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations aimed at uncovering the full network behind the abduction. He assured that security agencies remain committed to ensuring that all perpetrators are brought to justice.
He added that the rescued victims would receive medical attention and necessary care following their ordeal.
In his remarks, Governor Alia commended the security operatives for their swift response and professionalism, as well as the role played by local communities in providing actionable intelligence that contributed to the success of the operation.
The governor also revealed that eight of the rescued passengers were candidates participating in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. The candidates were reportedly travelling to Otukpo at the time of the attack.
This disclosure contrasts with earlier statements from both the police and JAMB, which had initially indicated that no UTME candidates were among those abducted, highlighting initial gaps in information during the early stages of the incident.
The attack occurred on April 15 when gunmen intercepted the state-owned Benue Links bus along the Benue Burnt Bricks axis in Otukpo LGA, robbing passengers before taking several of them into the bush.
Following the incident, security operatives launched a comprehensive search-and-rescue operation across nearby communities and forested areas. Initial efforts led to the recovery of some victims, while two others managed to escape from captivity.
By Sunday morning, authorities confirmed that the remaining 13 victims had been freed, completing the rescue of all 18 passengers and marking the successful conclusion of the operation.
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