Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have freed 13 passengers who were abducted from a Benue Links commercial bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo Road on April 15, 2026.
An operational update released in Abuja confirmed that the victims were rescued in the early hours of Sunday during a search-and-rescue mission. The troops tracked the kidnappers to a forest in Okete Ward, located in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, where the captives were recovered.
The rescued passengers were immediately moved to the General Hospital in Otukpo for medical care, where they are currently being treated for injuries sustained while in captivity.
Authorities also disclosed that three out of the 17 passengers initially kidnapped had earlier escaped on their own and have since reunited with their families. Security operatives are continuing efforts to locate and rescue those still being held.
Among the victims were eight individuals preparing to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, highlighting the broader impact of the attack on students and their academic plans.
