The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of seven individuals suspected to be linked to the abduction of passengers that occurred on April 15 in Otukpo.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Makurdi by the Command’s spokesperson, Edet Udeme. She explained that the arrests were made during a coordinated operation involving multiple security agencies.
According to Udeme, the operation combined intelligence gathering with a targeted search-and-rescue mission carried out in Amla Forest and nearby areas believed to be connected to the incident.
The effort also resulted in the rescue of some of the abducted passengers. While the exact number of those freed was not revealed, authorities confirmed that the victims are currently receiving medical attention.
“Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in police custody while investigation is ongoing.
“The Command also wishes to clarify misinformation circulating in some news media suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy conveying students to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
“The command states that this claim is incorrect, as the victims were not confirmed to be part of any organised UTME-bound student convoy, but passengers in a Makurdi-bound bus,” the statement read.
The police also addressed reports circulating in parts of the media, dismissing claims that the victims were students traveling in a convoy to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The Command clarified that those abducted were simply passengers on a commercial bus heading to Makurdi.
Udeme further conveyed assurances from the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, who stated that ongoing efforts are being intensified to secure the release of the remaining victims.
Residents were also encouraged to support security operations by providing timely and credible information that could assist in tracking down suspects and preventing further incidents.
