The gunman ambushed an 18-seat bus belonging to the Benue State Transport Company, known as Benue Links, K! Ling ling the Driver the Driver and a front-seat passenger, while kidnapped the other passengers.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening, April 3, 2025.
The bus leaving Makurdi, the capital of Benue state, was heading to Otukpo during the attack of Ikobi, a few kilometers from Otukpo Town.
Sources said the attackers quickly brought the kidnapped passengers into the bushes.
Maxwell Ogiri, chairman of Otukpo local government, confirmed the incident, which he confirmed on Friday that said five passengers were kidnapped and a female passenger managed to escape.
“The incident did happen Thursday night, which involved a vehicle with a Benue link from Makurdi to Otukpo,” Ogiri said.
“The driver of the bus was shot and killed by D3AD, another passenger was injured, while the gunman drove away five passengers. However, this morning, a female passenger escaped from the kidnapper and is currently being introduced to police in Otukpo.”
But the management of Benue Link later confirmed on Friday that the driver identified as Samuel Agege and front passengers was K!
Three passengers managed to escape, according to a statement signed by company information officer Johnson Daniel.
“It is a pity that Mr. Samuel Agege, the driver of the 18-seater bus, and a front-seat passenger were fatally shot by the attacker. The gunman tried to kidnap the remaining passengers, three passengers managed to escape, and another passenger disembarked in Taraku Town before the incident,” the statement said.
“The management of Benue Links of Nigeria Co., Ltd., Nigeria expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and unites with those who remain imprisoned. We assure the general public that we have been communicating with security agencies and that they are working to save the abducted passengers.”
