Benue State Police Command has confirmed the hijack of a Benue Links commercial bus and the abduction of its passengers by gunmen along Otukpa road on Sunday evening.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Edet Udeme, in a statement, said the incident involved a Hummer bus with registration number 14B-143BN, which was found abandoned by the roadside in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area.
Udeme said upon receiving the distress information, police tactical teams, in collaboration with the military and Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, swiftly mobilised to the scene.
He said during combing of the surrounding forest, the team rescued one of the victims, identified as Paul Terns, who managed to escape from the abductors.
MUST READ:Insecurity: COAS vows to clamp down on Benue, Plateau killers
The police spokesman assured that additional reinforcements have been deployed to the area to intensify the search for the remaining passengers and ensure their safe return.
The Police Command urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with it in the ongoing investigations.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
