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A violent incident unfolded in the early hours of January 14, 2026, in Makurdi, Benue State capital, when a commercial driver was allegedly stabbed and forcibly ejected from his moving heavy-duty vehicle by a group of young men at Lafia Junction in the North Bank area.
The attack occurred between 3:30 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. while the driver was transporting goods from Calabar through Abuja and had stopped to rest at the Heavy Duty Park in North Bank. According to an account shared by a concerned citizen who received direct information from the victim, the driver was flagged down at Lafia Junction by individuals who appeared to need assistance. Upon slowing down, three young men reportedly jumped into the vehicle and immediately began struggling with the driver in an apparent attempt to rob him.
The driver, realizing the assailants were speaking Tiv, addressed them in the same language and demanded an explanation for their actions. In response, the attackers reportedly stabbed him and pushed him out of the still-moving vehicle.
Despite his injuries, the driver managed to regain control and continued driving until he reached a quarantine checkpoint near the Police C Division in North Bank. At that point, with police officers in sight, he stopped the vehicle. The suspects, who had remained on board, were promptly arrested by officers and taken to the C Division police station in North Bank.
The victim was rushed to Wueseseter Clinic in North Bank, where he received treatment for the stab wounds and other injuries sustained during the incident. Pictures showing the extent of his injuries have reportedly been circulated privately among concerned parties.
The person who brought the matter to public attention expressed deep concern over the suspects’ fate, stating that they had previously been arrested in December 2025 for similar activities but were released without facing trial. The source warned that without proper follow-up, prosecution, and conviction, the group—described as notorious and operating regularly at Lafia Junction targeting heavy-duty vehicles—would likely be freed again and continue their criminal operations.
The account also raised serious allegations of complicity by some officers within the Benue State Police Command, Makurdi, suggesting that such quick releases undermine public safety and encourage repeat offenses. The writer called on the Security Advisers to the Benue State Governor to take urgent notice of recurring criminal activities in the state capital and what was described as unwelcome conduct by certain members of the Nigeria Police Force.
“This particular case must not be swept under the carpet,” the post emphasized, adding that the matter is being closely followed and any involvement in another premature release would be exposed.
The incident has once again highlighted persistent security challenges along major routes and junctions in Makurdi, particularly at night, and raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of police handling of robbery and violent crime suspects in the area. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the arrest or the status of the investigation as of the time of this report.
