In a disturbing turn of events in Benue State, suspected armed herdsmen reportedly hijacked two commercial buses and kidnapped at least 19 passengers in the early hours of Thursday. The incident occurred in the Jor community, along the Adoka-Naka highway, located within Gwer West Local Government Area.
According to eyewitnesses and local authorities, the attackers struck at two different intervals but in the same area—roughly three kilometers from Naka, the administrative headquarters of Gwer West LGA.
One of the commercial vehicles was en route from Ankpa, Kogi State to Makurdi, while the other was traveling from Makurdi to Lokoja. Both fell into the ambush, leaving travelers at the mercy of the assailants.
Local Authorities Confirm the Incident
The Ter Tyoshin and Chairman of the Gwer West Traditional Council, His Royal Highness Daniel Abomtse, verified the reports. He disclosed that each bus carried around a dozen passengers at the time of the abduction. Fortunately, an elderly woman, a nursing mother and her two children, and one of the drivers were spared.
“The survivors immediately reported the incident to officers at the Naka Police Station,” Abomtse added.
Transportation Union Reacts
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) also responded to the development. Yakubu Onu, the Secretary of the NURTW High Level Unit in Makurdi, confirmed that the spared passengers informed the police and were later allowed to continue their journey safely.
“We are still waiting to hear from other transporters and the families of the kidnapped individuals,” Onu said.
Security operatives have since launched a manhunt to locate and rescue the victims. This tragic event underscores the growing concerns about insecurity on Nigerian highways, especially in Benue State, where similar incidents have been reported in recent months.
For further reference on road safety and rising insecurity across Nigerian highways, visit BBC Africa.
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- Latest Nigeria Crime Reports
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