MAKURDI, Nigeria: 13 passengers abducted from a commercial bus regained their freedom in the early hours of Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Okay News reports that Nigeria’s Benue State Police Commissioner, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed the rescue and promised to brief the media on the development.
The group includes 8 candidates who were travelling to take examinations administered by Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. Armed men abducted the passengers from an 18-seater Benue Links bus on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, along the Makurdi to Otukpo road.
Security operatives intensified operations in the area during the 3 days the passengers were held captive.
Medical personnel evacuated the released victims for urgent care, and they are currently receiving treatment at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital in Otukpo.
