Security operatives in Benue State have arrested seven suspects in connection with a recent kidnapping incident in Otukpo Local Government Area, authorities confirmed on Friday.
The development was disclosed in an official statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Udeme Edet, who described the arrests as a major breakthrough in the ongoing investigation.
The incident occurred earlier in the week when armed assailants attacked a commercial bus operated by Benue Links Limited along the Otukpo route.
According to reports, the attackers intercepted the vehicle, dispossessed passengers of their belongings, and forcefully took several of them into nearby bush paths.
Conflicting figures initially emerged regarding the number of victims. While some accounts suggested about 17 passengers were abducted, police authorities confirmed that 14 individuals were taken, noting that one passenger managed to escape during the attack.
Police said the suspects were apprehended through a coordinated security operation involving multiple agencies.
The police explained that actionable intelligence gathered during follow-up investigations led to the arrest of the seven individuals, who are currently in custody as further inquiries continue.
Security forces have intensified efforts to locate and rescue the remaining victims, with operations currently focused on forested areas around Amla and nearby communities.
The police confirmed that some abducted persons have already been rescued and were receiving medical attention, although the exact number was not disclosed.
At least two victims were also reported to have escaped from their captors as the rescue mission continues.
The command also addressed widespread reports claiming that the victims were students travelling for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
According to the police, such claims are inaccurate. It clarified that the passengers were simply travelling in a Makurdi-bound commercial vehicle and were not part of any organised convoy of examination candidates.
Despite this clarification, some reports maintained that a number of those affected may have been prospective candidates heading to sit for the nationwide examination.
Investigators have also turned attention to the bus driver, who is currently being questioned.
Preliminary findings suggested that the driver may have violated company regulations by travelling at night and picking up passengers outside approved procedures, potentially exposing them to increased risk.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of travellers in parts of Nigeria, particularly during peak travel periods.
The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, assured residents that intensified operations were underway to restore calm and secure the release of those still in captivity.
He called on members of the public to assist security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could aid ongoing operations.
Reacting to the development, opposition figure Peter Obi criticised the incident, describing it as a troubling sign of worsening insecurity.
He argued that the abduction highlighted deeper governance challenges and accused authorities of failing to prioritise the safety of citizens.
The attack has further heightened anxiety over road travel safety across the country, especially during periods of increased movement such as national examinations.
