KEY POINTS

• Gunmen abducted 14 passengers travelling from Enugu to Abuja on a road in Benue State.
• Police rescued five victims, including a four-year-old child, while one person sustained a gunshot injury.
• Nine victims remain in captivity as police and other security agencies intensify rescue efforts.

Five people, including a four-year-old child, have been rescued after gunmen abducted 14 passengers travelling on the Otukpo–Adoka road in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

The victims were reportedly travelling in an 18-seater commercial bus from Enugu State to Abuja when the vehicle was ambushed by armed men on Thursday night.

Nine passengers are still being held by the suspected kidnappers, while security agencies continue efforts to secure their release.

The incident occurred along the Otukpo–Adoka road, with a local resident identifying the location of the attack as the area between Omutele and Ankpechi.

According to the account, the commercial bus was travelling towards Abuja when the gunmen intercepted it and forced all the passengers out of the vehicle.

The attackers subsequently took the travellers into captivity, prompting an immediate response from security agencies in the state.

The incident has heightened concerns over the safety of travellers using the route, particularly at night.

Police launch rescue operation

The Benue State Police Command said its operatives began a coordinated rescue operation early Friday following reports of the abduction.

Police spokesperson Peter Aondongu confirmed that 14 passengers were in the vehicle when the attack occurred.

According to him, security personnel engaged the suspected kidnappers in a gun battle during the rescue operation.

The operation resulted in the successful rescue of five victims, while nine others remained in captivity as of Friday.

Aondongu said one of the rescued victims was a four-year-old boy.

However, one of the five people rescued sustained a gunshot injury during the operation.

The injured victim was immediately taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment and is currently receiving medical attention.

The police did not disclose further details about the identities or conditions of the other rescued victims.

Security agencies have continued their efforts to locate and rescue the nine travellers still being held by the suspected kidnappers.

The police said the operation involves collaboration with other security agencies and is being conducted carefully to protect the lives of the hostages.

Authorities are expected to maintain pressure on the kidnappers while working to establish their location and secure the safe release of the remaining victims.

The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiogbu, assured the affected families and members of the public that security agencies were working to rescue the remaining victims.

The police leadership said the safety of the hostages remains the primary consideration as the operation continues.

Authorities have urged the public to remain calm while security personnel intensify efforts to bring the incident to an end.