Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Benue State Police Command has rescued eight kidnapped passengers following a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in the Ankpenchi axis of Amla Forest in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.
The victims were among 13 passengers abducted from a commercial bus travelling from Abakaliki in Ebonyi State to Abuja on September 13, 2026. Police said four of the passengers were rescued shortly after the attack, while nine others were taken into the forest by the kidnappers.
The latest operation on Friday, September 18, led to the rescue of eight of those remaining nine hostages. The ninth victim, however, died from gunshot injuries sustained during the initial attack, according to the Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu.
How the Abduction Happened
According to the police, the incident occurred at about 11pm on September 13 when armed men intercepted the commercial bus along the Ankpenchi-Ogobia axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.
The vehicle was travelling from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, towards Abuja when the attackers reportedly forced the passengers into captivity.
Police operatives immediately commenced search-and-rescue efforts, resulting in the recovery of four victims. Nine others remained in the custody of the suspected kidnappers.
The Benue Police Command subsequently intensified its operations around the area, with tactical teams conducting searches from September 14 in an effort to locate the remaining hostages and identify the kidnappers’ hideout.
Police Raid Suspected Kidnappers’ Camp
The breakthrough came in the early hours of Friday after security operatives received what police described as credible intelligence about the location of the suspected kidnappers.
Nwadiogbu said operatives attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit, supported by other tactical teams, moved into the Ankpenchi axis of Amla Forest at about 6:30am.
The operation resulted in an exchange of gunfire between the security personnel and the suspected kidnappers.
During the confrontation, eight of the nine remaining hostages were successfully rescued, while the suspected criminals fled into the surrounding forest.
Police said their operatives remained in the area as efforts continued to track the fleeing suspects and recover the remains of the victim who died.
One Victim Dies From Gunshot Injuries
The police commissioner said the rescued victims informed investigators that the remaining hostage had sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen during the initial attack.
According to the police account, the victim was moved between locations in the forest by the kidnappers while they allegedly attempted to obtain ransom.
The victim eventually died from the injuries before security operatives could reach him.
Police described the death as unfortunate and said efforts were continuing to recover the victim’s remains.
The development means that of the 13 passengers initially abducted, 12 have now been rescued alive, while one has died from injuries sustained during the attack.
Security Operations Intensify in Ohimini
The latest rescue comes amid intensified security operations around Ohimini and neighbouring communities following a series of kidnapping incidents in the area.
On September 14, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, working with police personnel and local vigilantes, separately rescued seven kidnapped victims during an operation around Amla-Icho, Ogobia and Anpekchi communities.
According to information released by Operation Whirl Stroke, the operation followed intelligence concerning suspected kidnappers operating in the area. The suspects reportedly fled after sighting the approaching security forces, leaving the victims behind.
A vehicle allegedly linked to the criminal operation was also recovered and handed over to the police for further investigation.
The separate military operation highlights the continuing security pressure in the area and the increased reliance on intelligence-led operations involving multiple security and community actors.
Police Warn Against Night Journeys
Following the latest rescue operation, the Benue Commissioner of Police advised travellers to exercise greater caution when using routes considered vulnerable to kidnapping.
Nwadiogbu specifically urged motorists and passengers travelling long distances to avoid night journeys where possible.
He advised travellers to stop in nearby towns before nightfall and continue their journeys the following day, particularly when travelling through areas where security risks have been identified.
The advice comes as security agencies continue efforts to disrupt kidnapping networks operating along major roads and rural corridors in parts of Benue State.
Public Cooperation Remains Critical
The police also appealed to residents and community members to provide timely and credible information that could help security agencies identify criminal networks and respond quickly to threats.
The command said intelligence gathering remains an important component of its efforts to locate kidnappers, rescue victims and prevent further attacks.
The involvement of local vigilantes alongside police and military personnel in recent operations also underscores the role of community-level information in identifying areas where criminal groups may be operating.
Why the Rescue Matters
The incident underscores the continuing security challenges faced by road users travelling through parts of Benue State.
Kidnapping along intercity routes can disrupt commercial transportation, affect movement between communities and increase concerns among passengers and transport operators.
For families, the consequences extend beyond the immediate abduction, with prolonged captivity creating uncertainty and financial pressure.
The recovery of most of the victims in the latest operation demonstrates the importance of sustained search-and-rescue efforts after an abduction. At the same time, the death of one hostage highlights the potentially fatal consequences of kidnapping and the urgency of rapid intervention.
The incident also shows why accurate passenger records, timely reporting and communication between communities and security agencies can be important during emergency situations.
What Happens Next
The Benue State Police Command is expected to continue searching the forest for fleeing members of the suspected kidnapping syndicate and to recover the remains of the deceased victim.
Police are also expected to intensify intelligence gathering aimed at identifying those responsible for the abduction.
The command has urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that can assist investigations and prevent further attacks.
For travellers, the police recommendation remains focused on caution, particularly on vulnerable routes and during nighttime journeys.
The latest operation therefore marks a significant development in the search for the abducted passengers, while the investigation into the kidnapping and the hunt for the suspected perpetrators continue.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Benue State Police Command, briefing by Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu
- The Punch, September 18, 2026
- Daily Trust, as reported by News Express
- The Sun, September 18, 2026
- Premium Times, September 16, 2026
- Operation Whirl Stroke
