Benue police nab 7 over travellers’ abduction, rescue victims

The operatives of the Benue State Police Command have arrested seven suspects over their alleged connection with the April 15 abduction of some passengers in the Otukpo area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, disclosed this via a statement issued on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Udeme said the arrests were made during a coordinated joint security operation involving the police and other security agencies, and targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and adjoining areas.

Udeme noted that the operation also led to the rescue of some of the victims, who are currently receiving medical attention.

The police spokesperson, however, did not disclose the number of those rescued.

She stated: “Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in police custody while investigation is ongoing.

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“The Command also wishes to clarify misinformation circulating in some news media suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy conveying students to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

“The command states that this claim is incorrect, as the victims were not confirmed to be part of any organised UTME-bound student convoy, but passengers in a Makurdi-bound bus.”

Udeme quoted the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, as assuring residents that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, is intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining victims.

The police commissioner further urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible and timely information to aid ongoing operations.