Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling from Enugu State to Abuja along the Otukpo-Adoka road in Benue State, with five victims, including a four-year-old boy, later rescued by security operatives.

The attack occurred on Thursday night, August 13, 2026, along the Ankpechi-Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area, when an 18-seater commercial bus was reportedly ambushed.

A resident, Ochai, told PUNCH that the gunmen forced all the passengers into a nearby forest after stopping the vehicle.

The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying its operatives launched a coordinated rescue operation early Friday.

According to the police spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, the operation involved an exchange of gunfire with the suspected kidnappers and resulted in the rescue of five victims.

One of those rescued sustained a gunshot injury during the operation and was taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment.

However, nine passengers remained in the custody of the suspected kidnappers as of Friday afternoon.

Aondongu said security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims, while cautioning that the operation was being conducted carefully to protect the abducted passengers.

The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiogbu, assured the victims’ families that security agencies would continue the operation until the remaining passengers were rescued.

He also urged residents in the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist the security agencies.

The latest abduction adds to growing concerns over insecurity around Otukpo and Ohimini, where residents have reported recent cases of killings and kidnappings.