Police Arrest Seven Suspects Over Otukpo Passenger Abduction, Rescue Victims in Benue Forest Operation

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of seven suspects linked to the abduction of passengers in Otukpo on April 15, following a joint security sweep of the Amla Forest and surrounding areas.

In a statement issued to journalists in Makurdi on Saturday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme, disclosed that the arrests were made during a coordinated operation involving the police and other security agencies aimed at locating and rescuing the kidnapped victims.

While confirming that some of the abducted passengers had been successfully rescued and were currently receiving medical attention, Udeme declined to specify the exact number of those freed.

“Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in police custody while investigation is ongoing,” the statement read.

Police Debunk UTME Student Convoy Claims

The Command also moved to correct what it described as inaccurate reports circulating in some media outlets suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy transporting students to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Udeme clarified that the information was incorrect, stating, “The victims were not confirmed to be part of any organised UTME-bound student convoy, but passengers in a Makurdi-bound bus.”

The spokesperson further relayed assurances from the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, that the Command remains committed to rescuing any remaining victims still held in captivity. She noted that security forces are intensifying collaborative efforts to secure their safe return.

The police appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to support ongoing security operations in the state.