Makurdi, Benue State – February 11, 2026 — Armed gunmen ambushed a commercial bus in Benue State on Monday night, February 9, 2026, killing two passengers and abducting at least 14 others in a brazen attack along the Utonkon–Okpoga Road. The incident, which occurred in the Okpokwu axis of the state, has heightened security concerns amid a recent surge in kidnappings and violent crimes in the region.
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According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the bus was conveying 16 passengers from communities in the Igede axis of Oju and Obi Local Government Areas. The travellers reportedly departed Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA around 7:00 p.m., heading toward southern parts of the country, when the vehicle was intercepted by armed assailants along the Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga Road linking Ado and Okpokwu Local Government Areas.
Reports indicate that the gunmen forced the bus to a stop and opened fire when the driver allegedly failed to comply immediately. Two passengers were killed at the scene. The attackers subsequently abducted 14 others, leading them into a nearby bush and leaving the area in disarray. While some accounts suggest that two passengers may have escaped during the attack, this has not been officially confirmed. Authorities have consistently stated that 16 passengers were on board at the time of the incident.
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two passengers and the abduction of 14 others. In a statement, police described the attackers as suspected bandits and said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible. The command noted that the victims were travelling from Oju LGA when the ambush occurred. No group has claimed responsibility, though similar attacks in the area are often attributed to bandit or kidnapping syndicates operating in Nigeria’s North-Central region.
The Utonkon–Okpoga Road has increasingly become a hotspot for criminal activities, particularly kidnappings for ransom. The route, which traverses rural and semi-rural communities in Okpokwu and adjoining areas, is frequently used by commuters travelling within Benue State and beyond. Security analysts attribute the vulnerability of the road to its relative isolation and limited security patrols.
The latest attack comes days after another high-profile abduction in the same vicinity, where nine Catholic worshippers were reportedly kidnapped during a night vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District. That incident also sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for urgent security intervention.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed the bus attack and expressed concern over the growing insecurity along the corridor. Local residents in Makurdi and surrounding communities have described the incident as part of a troubling pattern of violence disrupting travel and economic activities.
Benue State, located in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, has faced persistent security challenges, including farmer-herder conflicts, banditry, and kidnapping. Criminal groups have frequently targeted highways, markets, and places of worship, demanding ransom payments from victims’ families.
In response to the ambush, security agencies have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators and intensified patrols along major routes. Authorities have urged residents to provide credible information that could aid rescue efforts, while cautioning families against engaging in private ransom negotiations that may further embolden criminal elements.
As investigations continue, the identities of the deceased and abducted passengers have not been publicly disclosed, pending notification of next of kin. Civil society organisations and national media outlets have condemned the attack, calling for stronger and sustained measures to safeguard lives and property across vulnerable communities.
For now, the immediate priority remains the safe rescue of the 14 abducted travellers and the restoration of confidence among commuters using the Utonkon–Okpoga corridor.
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