By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
Unidentified gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have attacked a fully loaded Benue Links bus, killing the driver and kidnapping over 14 other passengers on board.
However, they left behind a three-year-old baby boy at the scene of the violence.
Benue Links is a Benue State government-owned road transportation company with headquarters in Makurdi, capital of the North Central state.
Established in 1988, the company was launched to provide affordable transportation services to both rural and urban areas within the state. However, Benue Links expanded its operations and now offers nationwide services, connecting various parts of Nigeria
The attack occurred at Ikobi community near Otukpo Burnt bricks, Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.
Our checks revealed that the armed men ambushed the bus along the highway and fired on the vehicle, killing the driver in the process before eventually taking the passengers to a yet-to-be-known destination.
We gathered that the three-year-old was reportedly abandoned by the suspected kidnappers even as one lady escaped.
Reacting to the ugly incident, the President of a community cultural group in the axis, Ochetoha K’Idoma youth wing, Mr. Mike Magaji, who lamented over the spate of insecurity in the area and the state in general, blamed the state government over what he described as inaction.
Magaji lamented further that the State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, did not make any meaningful speech during his visit to Otukpo on Thursday.
According to him, it was heartbreaking that their people continued to live in fear while the government remained silent, wondering how many more lives must be lost before action is taken.
“The Governor’s visit to Otukpo was a disappointment. Our people expected leadership, not vague reassurances. We need a clear plan to end these attacks. The government must rise up to its responsibilities. We cannot continue to mourn our people daily while those in power look the other way,” he warned.
Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri while commenting, confirmed that “a bus in the fleet of Benue Links was ambushed yesterday night (Thursday).”
The Chairman said that the driver of the bus was shot dead, while another passenger sustained serious injury with other passengers abducted, adding that a female passenger was able to escape from the kidnappers and she briefed policemen on the incident.
He disclosed that “though I have not seen the escapist (sic) but she is still with the police. The security agents are fully aware of the incident now.”
Spokesman of Benue Links, Johnson Who Daniel, in a statement made available in Makurdi, confirmed the tragic attack on one of the company’s buses with registration number PP512, which was en route Otukpo from Makurdi.
He explained that the driver of the 18-seater bus, Mr. Samuel Agege, and a front-seat passenger were fatally shot by the attackers.
He noted that the management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited has extended its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and stands in solidarity with those whose loved ones remain in captivity.
While assuring the general public that they were in constant communication with security agencies, who were making concerted efforts to rescue the abducted passengers, he also appreciated the swift response of the law enforcement agencies and expressed confidence in their ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted passengers.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, Catherine Anene Sewuese, assured that the Command would soon issue a statement in respect to the incident.
