Troops rescue 13 kidnapped Benue Links passengers

The Nigerian Army troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have rescued 13 kidnapped passengers of a Benue Links commercial bus abducted along the Makurdi–Otukpo road on April 15, 2026, the Army said in an operational report on Sunday.

According to the report, the troops, while conducting search-and-rescue operations, recovered the victims in the early hours of Sunday from a forest area in Okete Ward, Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue.

Those rescued include Hyacinth Oko (56), Elaiguli Joshua (25), Orili Raphael (29), Sunday Augustine (18), Emmanuel Elaicha (21), Gbile Nguyor Daniel (18), Ukacha Tersoo (18), and Nyikwagh Aoridakator (22).

Others are Iornav Ngukuhan (18), Nyikwagh Benjamin (18), Buker Agatha (19), Paul Wende (29), and Akor Jessica (19).

It added the rescued victims were immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Otukpo, where they are currently receiving medical attention, including treatment for injuries sustained during captivity.

The report further disclosed that three of the 17 abducted passengers had earlier escaped and reunited with their families safely, while efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims still in captivity.

It added that eight of the abducted passengers were candidates preparing for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.