Benue security forces rescue 13 kidnapped passengers amid rising violence

Summary

• Security forces rescue 13 abducted bus passengers in joint operation with local vigilantes
• Raid follows deadly Yelewata attack that left dozens dead and reignited concerns over insecurity
• Governor Alia pledges reforms and investigation as critics demand stronger protection and justice

Makurdi, Benue State – Thirteen passengers abducted in Benue State, Nigeria, have been successfully rescued in a coordinated security operation, following a week-long ordeal that underscored growing insecurity in the region. The victims, travelling on a Benue Links Transport Company bus, were kidnapped at Eke in Okpokwu Local Government Area but regained freedom on 29 June 2025 through a joint effort by the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes, and supportive youths from neighbouring Kogi State.

According to the chairman of Okpokwu LGA, Adah Inalegwu, two passengers were freed on Saturday, 28 June, after security personnel combed the forested area where the abductors had taken them. The remaining 11, including the driver, were released at around 4:00 p.m. the following day in Oando village after the kidnappers, under increasing pressure from the security operation, abandoned them.

The operation was made possible by enhanced surveillance and tracking technology provided through the logistical support of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia. After their release, the victims were profiled and reunited with their families.

This incident occurred amid heightened tension and insecurity in Benue State, particularly following a devastating attack on the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area on 13 and 14 June 2025. The assault, reportedly carried out by armed herdsmen or militia groups, targeted internally displaced persons (IDPs), resulting in widespread destruction and a significant loss of life. While some sources place the death toll at 47, others estimate over 200 fatalities. Victims included women, children, and members of the security forces, with reports of charred bodies and homes reduced to ashes.

The Yelewata massacre triggered widespread outrage across Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu visited Benue on 18 June and instructed security agencies to apprehend those responsible. The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, later confirmed that 26 suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack, with efforts ongoing to track down remaining perpetrators.

The dual crises of kidnapping and mass violence have drawn criticism from local and international observers. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned the Nigerian government’s failure to curb impunity and protect vulnerable communities. They warn that such attacks, often rooted in disputes over land and resources between nomadic herders and settled farming populations, are exacerbating displacement and threatening national food security.

In response, Governor Alia has announced the establishment of a five-member investigative panel to examine the root causes of the conflict and recommend durable solutions. He also revealed plans to bolster security by deploying additional troops and surveillance drones to volatile areas.

The rescue in Okpokwu and the tragic events in Yelewata highlight the persistent challenges confronting Benue State. With calls mounting for accountability and long-term peacebuilding efforts, many observers stress the need for more inclusive, community-driven security frameworks and decisive government action to break the cycle of violence.