Fear has returned to the Otukpo-Oweto axis in Benue South after suspected gunmen intercepted an 18-seater commercial bus and marched its passengers into the bush. The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday evening between the Omutele and Ankpechi communities along the Otukpo-Adoka Road.
According to circulating accounts, the attackers diverted the vehicle off the main route and forced the passengers into the surrounding bush. Reports indicate that a woman travelling with her baby was spared and left behind, while the driver sustained serious injuries during the attack. The exact number of passengers taken has not been independently confirmed, though some early alerts described an 18-seater bus being seized with its occupants.
Residents raised the alarm and advised commuters to avoid travelling the route at night. Security agencies are expected to establish the full circumstances of the incident and work toward locating those reportedly abducted. The identities of the victims and any possible ransom demands remain unclear at this stage.
The Otukpo-Oweto route is a key corridor for travellers and communities in the area. The fresh reports have heightened concerns about the safety of road users amid recurring cases of kidnapping and other security challenges in parts of Benue South. Commuters and motorists plying the road have been urged to remain vigilant, avoid night travel where possible, and report any suspicious movement to security agencies immediately.
Details of the incident are still being verified as the story develops.
