Gunmen Kidnap Benue Links Bus Passengers in Daring Attack

Terror on the Eke Axis: Gunmen Hijack Benue Links Bus, Kidnap Passengers in Daring Ambush

It was a quiet Sunday evening on June 22, 2025, when the unthinkable happened. A fully loaded Benue Links bus, rumbling along the dusty Otukpo-Otukpa road in Okpokwu, Benue State, Nigeria, became the latest target in a chilling wave of violence. Around 6:30 p.m., gunmen armed, ruthless, and shrouded in mystery,struck with terrifying precision. They didn’t just rob the passengers; they kidnapped every single soul on board, vanishing with them into the dense bush like ghosts in the night. This brazen attack has left a community reeling, families in anguish, and a nation demanding answers.

A Road Plagued by Danger

The Eke axis of Okpokwu Local Government Area (LGA) is no stranger to trouble. Locals whisper about it being a "danger zone," a stretch of road where fear rides shotgun with every traveler. Just weeks ago, reports of similar attacks surfaced, though some were later debunked. But this time, the evidence is undeniable. The bus, marked with registration number 14B-143BN, was carrying an unknown number of passengers,mothers, fathers, students, worker ,ordinary people with no idea they were about to become pawns in a terrifying game. Eyewitnesses paint a grim picture. The gunmen, described only as “suspected armed men,” swarmed the bus, robbing passengers of their phones, money, and dignity before herding them into the wilderness. The speed and coordination of the attack suggest a well-practiced operation, leaving many to wonder: who are these shadowy figures, and what do they want?

A Community Rallies, A Hero Emerges

Hope wasn’t lost for long. Enter Comrade Austin Agada, the Benue APC chairman, who happened to pass by the scene shortly after the ambush. Like a guardian angel in a crisis, Agada didn’t hesitate. He alerted the military and police, sparking a rapid response that has locals calling him a hero. By nightfall, a coalition of local vigilantes, youth from nearby villages, and security forces was scouring the bush, determined to bring the passengers home. “We won’t rest until they’re found,” one vigilante told reporters, his face grim but resolute. The search is ongoing, with teams combing the dense forests around Eke. But as of midnight on June 23, 2025, no word has come about the passengers’ fate or the kidnappers’ demands. The silence is deafening, and every passing hour tightens the knot of fear in the community.

Whispers of Fulani Herdsmen: A Dangerous Narrative?

Rumors are swirling, and one name keeps coming up: Fulani herdsmen. Social media posts, like the one from #IgbereTV, point fingers at this group, long blamed for similar attacks in Benue’s volatile regions. But here’s the catch,official reports don’t confirm this. News outlets like Daily Post Nigeria and Idoma Voice stick to calling the attackers “gunmen,” leaving the herdsmen angle unverified. It’s a sensitive topic in Benue, where ethnic tensions have fueled violence before. Mislabeling the culprits could ignite more conflict, but the lack of clarity only deepens the mystery. Are these bandits, rebels, or something else entirely?

A Pattern of Peril

This isn’t the first time Benue Links has been in the headlines. Back in April 2025, 13 passengers were kidnapped in Otukpo, with three tragically losing their lives before police rescued the rest. Another reported attack on June 1 in nearby Ogbadibo LGA was later called a hoax by Benue Links management, who urged the public to stop spreading unverified claims. But this latest incident feels different,too real, too raw. The Otukpo-Otukpa road is starting to feel like a death trap, and locals are fed up. “How many more must suffer before something is done?” asked one resident, speaking to Nairaland users. Community leaders like Hon Adikwu Daniel have long called for better security, pointing out the lack of checkpoints and patrols on these rural routes. The Eke axis, in particular, has been flagged as a hotspot, yet little has changed. The question on everyone’s lips: why does this keep happening?

A Call to Action

This attack is a stark reminder of Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis. From Boko Haram in the north to bandits in the northwest, the country is grappling with threats that make everyday activities like catching a bus feel like a gamble. For now, all eyes are on Okpokwu. The bravery of local vigilantes and the quick thinking of leaders like Agada offer a glimmer of hope, but it’s not enough. The government must step up, secure these roads, and bring justice to those responsible. As we await updates, one thing is clear: the people of Benue deserve better. They deserve to travel without fear, to live without looking over their shoulders. Until then, the Eke axis remains a haunting symbol of a nation under siege and a community fighting back with everything it’s got.