Thirteen passengers kidnapped from a Benue Links commercial bus on the Makurdi–Otukpo road were rescued by Nigerian Army troops under Operation Whirl Stroke. The abduction occurred on April 15, 2026, according to an operational report released to the News Agency of Nigeria and made available in Abuja on Sunday. The troops, conducting routine operations in the area, intercepted the kidnappers and secured the safe release of all 13 victims. No casualties were reported among the rescued passengers, and the military confirmed that the suspects fled the scene before they could be apprehended. The Benue Links bus had been travelling between Makurdi and Otukpo when it was hijacked along the highway. The military has not disclosed the exact location of the rescue or the identities of the passengers. Operation Whirl Stroke has intensified patrols along major roads in Benue State following a surge in abduction cases. The army reiterated its commitment to restoring safety on critical transit routes. Further investigations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and determine possible connections to other criminal networks.
The rescue of the 13 passengers highlights the persistent insecurity on the Makurdi–Otukpo road, where abductions continue despite military presence. Operation Whirl Stroke's success in this case contrasts with its inability to prevent the initial attack on a commercial bus in broad daylight. If armed groups can still ambush interstate highways, the safety of civilian commuters remains uncertain. The military must explain how such attacks bypass surveillance and patrols meant to protect these routes.
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