Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling along the Otukpo–Adoka Road in Benue State, with the police confirming that five of the victims, including a four-year-old boy, have so far been rescued.

The incident occurred on Thursday night when an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja was ambushed along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.

A resident, Ochai, who spoke with journalists on Friday, said the gunmen forced all the passengers into the surrounding forest after stopping the vehicle.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said operatives of the command launched a coordinated rescue operation early Friday.

According to him, the operation involved an exchange of gunfire with the suspected kidnappers and resulted in the rescue of five victims, while nine others remained in the custody of the abductors.

One of the rescued victims reportedly sustained a gunshot injury during the operation and was taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment.

Aondongu said the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to rescue the remaining nine passengers, stressing that the operation was being conducted cautiously with the safety of the victims prioritised.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, assured the victims’ families and members of the public that security operatives would continue the operation until all the abducted passengers were safely rescued.

He also urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information that could assist ongoing rescue efforts.

The latest incident comes amid growing concerns over insecurity in Otukpo and Ohimini local government areas, where residents have reported a series of killings and kidnappings in recent weeks.