Armed bandits have abducted an unspecified number of church members along the Makurdi–Naka road in Gwer West, Benue, on Sunday around 7:10 p.m. near Tyolaha village after attacking a bus carrying members of the Chosen Church from Makurdi to Naka.
According to sources, the bus driver, Ogijo Jibrin, 52, reported to police that the gunmen “emerged suddenly and blocked the highway at gunpoint.” While two other buses escaped by reversing, an unknown number of passengers from Jibrin’s bus were taken into the bush. Jibrin and seven passengers escaped and alerted authorities.
Army troops from Operation Whirlstroke, alongside the Divisional Police Officer in Naka, mobilized patrol and tactical teams to the scene.
The joint operation successfully rescued Jibrin and the seven passengers, while efforts to locate the abducted victims continue. The Commissioner of Police, via the Assistant Commissioner in Makurdi, deployed operatives from the Counter-Terrorism Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Operation Zenda, State Intelligence Bureau, and Police Mobile Force to comb the bush and track the perpetrators.
The police command confirmed that “bush combing operations were ongoing to track the perpetrators and ensure safe rescue of the victims.” The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has also launched a full investigation into the incident.
Security forces have launched operation to rescue the victims and urged the church members, families to remain calm.