Armed assailants on Thursday evening intercepted a fully loaded commercial bus operated by Benue Links Transport Company at Eke, along the Otukpo–Otukpa Road in Okpokwu LGA, Benue State. They hijacked the vehicle and abducted its passengers. A joint security operation—including police, military, and civil defence forces—is currently searching the area for the victims. The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident and pledged to rescue the hostages and arrest the perpetrators.

Benue’s Spiraling Security Crisis Deepens

This latest abduction comes on the heels of a brutal massacre in Yelwata, Guma LGA, where suspected herdsmen killed over 100 residents and torched entire communities. That attack spurred President Bola Tinubu to visit Benue on June 18, marking his first trip to the state since assuming office. During that visit, he urged the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff to track down the attackers and asked Governor Hyacinth Alia to initiate peace dialogue between herders and farmers.

Despite those measures, kidnappings and violent raids persist. The abduction at Eke follows previous incidents along the same route—two deaths and four kidnappings in early May near Adoka-Otukpo , and three fatalities with additional abductions near Ikobi in April. Across the state, attacks on motorists and villagers continue unabated.

Public Anxiety and Official Reassurances

Local residents and community leaders responded with dismay. “We urge security agencies to move fast and rescue the victims,” demanded Comrade Agada, voicing widespread frustration at the repeated threats. “The people of Benue deserve to feel safe. It is the government’s duty to ensure their security.”

State police spokesperson Catherine Anene confirmed the hijacking and assured the public that rescue efforts are underway. She emphasized cooperation with other security agencies to apprehend the culprits.

Persistent Attacks Despite Presidential Presence

President Tinubu’s recent visit to Makurdi included a high-profile town hall with local stakeholders. He demanded decisive action from military and police chiefs, pressed Governor Alia to establish a Council of Elders for peacebuilding, and announced continued surveillance and security sweeps across the state.

Yet even as federal and state authorities mobilize, violence remains entrenched. The brutal attacks earlier in June, followed by this abduction, highlight a deep-rooted insecurity that President Tinubu himself called “senseless bloodletting.” He urged authorities to end impunity and called for accountability.

Kidnapping Hotspots along Otukpo Corridor

The Otukpo–Otukpa–Adoka road has seen a surge in violent attacks targeting travellers:

• April: Gunmen hijacked a Benue Links bus near Ikobi, killing the driver and abducting passengers; one toddler escaped.

• May: A commercial bus from Abuja was ambushed near Adoka; two individuals died and four were taken hostage.

• Now: Another Benue Links bus hijacked at Eke, prompting a complex security response.

Frequent attacks on this route have disrupted transport services, sowed fear among commuters, and strained regional economies.

Beyond Benue: Nigeria’s Worsening Rural Violence

Benue’s crisis reflects a broader national trend: northern Nigerian rural violence and banditry are escalating. In April alone, attacks in Benue and Plateau States claimed over 150 lives, driven by herder-farmer clash, land disputes, shifting environmental patterns, and the influx of small arms .

The recent Yelwata killings and continuing abductions underscore these complex interlinked crises.

Soaring Stakes—Security vs. Development

The immediate humanitarian cost—lives lost, families traumatized—is only part of the problem. A 2025 study revealed that insecurity in Benue has slashed agricultural output by 21%, compounding food production losses in Nigeria’s.” food basket” With displaced farmers and disrupted trade, food supply chains falter, raising food prices and undermining livelihoods.

Despite calls for ranching reforms, open grazing laws and land-right enforcement remain weak. Meanwhile, insecurity fuels displacement—over 3,000 people fled Yelwata alone.

Government Response: Orders, Plans, But Still Reactive

President Tinubu traveled to Makurdi with directives to security forces, stakeholders, and Governors. He demanded arrests, a ranching agenda, and peace dialogues. The IGP and Chief of Defence Staff reportedly mobilized task forces targeting herder militias. President also called for an intelligence crackdown and community-focused patrols.

But critics argue responses remain reactive, not preventive. Experts call for structural reforms—ranching, resource-sharing frameworks, intelligence-driven policing—to break the violence cycles.

Path Ahead

• Rapid Rescue Operations: The immediate priority lies in safely recovering hostages from last night’s bus hijacking.

• Full-Scale Security Sweep: Authorities must sustain presence along vulnerable corridors, beyond the Otukpo road.

• Ranching & Land Reform: Address root conflict drivers with grazing-reserve enforcement and open-grazing bans.

• Community-Led Peace: Launch reconciliation platforms involving farmers, herders, traditional leaders.

• Economic Stabilization: Support affected farmers and communities to rebuild agriculture, bolster food security.

A State at War with Itself

Benue’s situation exposes a deeper national failure: persistent rural violence, communal distrust, and banditry threaten Nigeria’s heartland. Even as national leaders demand action, victims endure kidnappings, and farmland turns into battlegrounds.

President Tinubu’s high-level directives must translate into sustained operations and tangible reforms. Otherwise, Nigeria risks losing not only its citizens—but its food security, economic foundation, and moral core.

The abduction at Eke alone—following mass killings and farm attacks—is a tragic signal: until systemic insecurity ends, every passenger, farmer, and villager remains at risk.