Nigeria bus kidnap victims all rescued: governor

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Whirl Stroke have successfully rescued 13 passengers who were abducted from a commercial bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo Road in Benue State.

According to an operational report, the victims were freed during a search-and-rescue mission carried out in the early hours of Sunday in a forested area within Ohimini Local Government Area.

The passengers had been kidnapped on April 15 while travelling on a Benue Links bus. Following their rescue, they were immediately transported to a nearby hospital in Otukpo, where they are receiving medical care, including treatment for injuries sustained during captivity.

Authorities confirmed that three of the initially abducted passengers had earlier managed to escape and reunite with their families. Efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining individuals still in captivity.

The report also noted that eight of the victims were students preparing for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations, highlighting the impact of the incident on young candidates.

Officials stated that security operations will continue in the area to ensure the safe recovery of all remaining victims and to strengthen protection along key routes.