Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully rescued 13 passengers who were kidnapped from a Benue Links commercial bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo Road on April 15, 2026
According to an operational update released in Abuja, the victims were found in the early hours of Sunday during a coordinated search-and-rescue mission. They were located in a forest within Okete Ward in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
The rescued individuals include Hycent Oko (56), Elaiguli Joshua (25), Orili Raphael (29), Sunday Augustine (18), Emmanuel Elaicha (21), Gbile Nguyor Daniel (18), Ukacha Tersoo (18), Nyikwagh Aoridakator (22), Iornav Ngukuhan (18), Nyikwagh Benjamin (18), Buker Agatha (19), Paul Wende (29), and Akor Jessica (19).
All victims were promptly taken to the General Hospital in Otukpo, where they are currently receiving treatment for injuries and trauma sustained during their ordeal.
The report also noted that three of the 17 abducted passengers had earlier managed to escape and have since reunited with their families. Efforts are still underway to secure the release of the remaining victims.
Among those abducted were eight individuals preparing to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.
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