Students abducted after gunmen attack passenger bus in central Nigeria

Gunmen attacked a passenger bus in Nigeria’s Benue state on Thursday, abducting several students who were travelling to sit for university examinations, according to a statement from the state government.

Benue Gov. Hyacinth Alia said the attack occurred along the Otukpo–Makurdi highway. The number of people taken has not been officially confirmed. Local media reports indicate there were 14 passengers on board at the time of the напад.

“The targeting of innocent citizens, particularly students on their way to sit for examinations, is unacceptable and stands against every norm of humanity and civil order,” Alia said in the statement.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with security agencies working to locate and safely return those abducted, according to the governor. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of publication.

Benue state is part of a region that has seen repeated incidents of armed violence, including kidnappings for ransom targeting travellers and rural communities. Analysts have previously said students are often targeted because such incidents attract wider public attention.

Residents have been urged to remain calm and cooperate with authorities as the investigation and rescue efforts continue.