The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Ifeanyi Emenari, disclosed this on Sunday while presenting 15 of the rescued victims to Governor Hyacinth Alia at the Government House in Makurdi.
Emenari said the operation, carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, led to the successful recovery of all the victims. He also confirmed the arrest of seven suspects linked to the incident, describing it as a major breakthrough in the investigation. The suspects are currently in custody.
The rescued victims are expected to receive medical attention as investigations continue.
Governor Alia commended security operatives and community members for their role in the rescue. He also revealed that eight of the victims were candidates of the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), who were travelling to Otukpo at the time of the attack.
This disclosure contradicts earlier statements by both the police and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which had indicated that no UTME candidates were among those abducted.
Gunmen had intercepted the state-owned Benue Links bus last Wednesday along the Benue Burnt Bricks area in Otukpo Local Government Area, robbing passengers before taking several of them into the bush.
Security operatives launched a coordinated search across nearby areas, leading to the rescue of some victims, while two others escaped from captivity.
Police confirmed on Sunday morning that the remaining 13 victims had been freed, completing the rescue operation.