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Security Operatives Arrest Seven Suspects Linked To Benue Abduction
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Security operatives in Benue State have arrested seven suspects in connection with the kidnapping incident in Otukpo Local Government Area.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer for the Benue State Command, Udeme Edet.
The abduction occurred on Wednesday when gunmen attacked a commercial bus operated by Benue Links Limited in Otukpo.
According to reports, the assailants intercepted the vehicle, robbed the passengers, and abducted several of them into the bush.
There have been conflicting reports regarding the number of victims. While some sources estimate that about 17 passengers were abducted, the police confirmed that 14 persons were taken, noting that one individual escaped during the attack.
According to the police, the suspect’s arrest was achieved through a coordinated operation involving multiple security agencies.
The Force disclosed that intelligence gathered during the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are now in custody.
“The Benue State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a significant breakthrough following the kidnapping incident that occurred on 15th April, 2026 in Otukpo.
“Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven (7) suspects, who are currently in police custody while investigation is ongoing,” the statement partly read.
It added that operatives are currently conducting a targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and surrounding areas.
“The operation has led to the successful rescue of some of the victims, who are currently receiving medical attention,” the force said.
Police Clarify UTME Claims
The Command also addressed reports suggesting that the victims were students travelling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), describing the claim as inaccurate.
“The Command wishes to clarify misinformation circulating in some news media suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy conveying students to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
“The Command states that this claim is incorrect, as the victims were not confirmed to be part of any organised UTME-bound student convoy but passengers in a Makurdi-bound bus,” the statement read.
Contrary to the police dismissal, reports suggested that many of the victims were believed to be UTME candidates travelling for the examination, which began on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the 2026 UTME has been marked by major logistical challenges, as many candidates were assigned CBT centres far from their homes, often in hard-to-locate areas. This has drawn public outcry and criticism of the board.
Rescue Efforts
Security agencies have intensified efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims, with tactical and anti-kidnapping units deployed to the area.
The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, assured residents that operations are ongoing to restore normalcy.
“The Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, is intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining victims and ensure the full restoration of peace and security in the affected area,” the statement noted.
Authorities also confirmed that at least two abducted passengers have since escaped, as search operations continue.
Meanwhile, police investigations indicate that the driver of the bus may have breached company regulations.
He is alleged to have travelled at night and picked up passengers outside approved procedures. The driver is currently under interrogation.
The police urged members of the public to support ongoing operations by providing credible information.
“Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to official police hotlines. The Command further urges continued cooperation by providing credible and timely information to security agencies,” the statement added.
Opposition leader Peter Obi condemned the incident, describing it as a reflection of deepening insecurity and a failure of leadership, accusing authorities of prioritising electoral interests over citizens’ safety.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said the abduction of the students was both “heartbreaking” and indicative of a systemic breakdown in governance.
The incident has heightened concerns over the safety of travellers across Nigeria, particularly during peak periods such as national examinations, when movement increases significantly.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Suspected bandits have kidnapped retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and his wife on Matazu Road in Katsina State.
Security sources told PRNigeria that the couple was ambushed on Saturday morning, May 30, 2026, while travelling in a red Peugeot 504 saloon car.
The gunmen intercepted the vehicle and whisked the retired officer and his wife to an unknown location.
The driver escaped with gunshot wounds and is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, a security source said.
The former DDI and his wife were waylaid by armed men on the route. The driver escaped with gunshot injuries and is receiving medical attention,” the source stated.
Security forces have launched search-and-rescue operations and deployed intelligence assets to track the abductors, according to the source. Official confirmation from the military was still pending at press time.
—Rising concern in Katsina—
The abduction comes amid persistent insecurity in parts of Katsina despite ongoing military operations against bandit groups in the North-West.
In recent years, several serving and retired security personnel have been targeted on highways linking Katsina to neighbouring states. PRNigeria reports that criminal groups now see high-profile individuals, including retired military officers, as lucrative targets.
Maj-Gen Abubakar served as Director of Defence Information and was one of the Nigerian military’s most visible spokespersons during the counterinsurgency campaign against Boko Haram.
The incident is expected to renew calls for stronger security along major highways and rural communities in Katsina, where residents continue to face kidnapping and banditry.
Credit :PRNigeria
Abia State Police Command has nabbed two suspects for conspiracy, attempted child theft and possession of hard drugs.
The Command which made this known on Saturday, named the suspects as Nzubechi Chinagorom and Chinonso Chibundu, indigenes of Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA of the Abia State.
In a statement signed by DSP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer, the Command said its officers apprehended the suspects through actionable intelligence, in collaboration with Olokoro vigilante personnel.
She stated that the suspects went to the residence of one Miss Amarachi Chinyereugo and attempted to forcibly take away her two-week-old baby girl.
DSP Chinaka said that the Nzubechi Chinagorom allegedly stabbed the nursing mother with a kitchen knife during a struggle, causing the baby to fall and hit her head on ground.
The police spokesperson said that the two suspects fled from the scene and ran into a nearby bush on realizing that the nursing mother, Miss Amarachi Chinyereugo cried out for help.
She added that the suspects were later apprehended at a bus stop
where they had reportedly gone to take hard drugs.
“The mother and child were immediately rushed to the hospital, where they received treatment and have since recovered.
“The suspects were apprehended, exhibits were recovered and investigation has been conducted at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). Suspects will be charged to court on 2/06/2026,” Chinaka said.
Ex-Minister of Labour and Productivity, SellJoel Ikenya, has been declared winner of the governorship primaries conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Taraba State.
Mr Felix Hyat, the chairman of the election committee, who announced the results in Jalingo on Saturday, said Ikenya scored 34,173, to defeat Mr Dinshiya Usman, who polled 4,853.
Hyat, who described the exercise as free, fair and transparent, commended the state working committee of the party for the peaceful conduct.
Ikenya, in his acceptance speech, pledged to revive Taraba to her days of glory if elected governor in 2027.
“I will transform Taraba; I will change the state from salary base, to an industrialised state.
“My desire is to also revive the state infrastructure and attract more investors to boost the economy,” he said.
The governorship candidate, however, denied the allegations of factional PDP in Taraba.
“There is no factional PDP in Taraba; I don’t know where the other people are coming from.
“PDP in Taraba is one, and we do not have any faction in the state. We are working as one united family to reclaim our mandate from Gov. Agbu Kefas of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the Nyesom Wike led faction of the party had recently declared senator Emmanuel Bwacha as its governorship candidate in Taraba.
NAN
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