Armed attackers ambushed a passenger bus in central Nigeria and abducted several people, including students traveling to sit for university examinations, authorities said.
The attack occurred Thursday along the Otukpo-Makurdi highway in Benue state, according to Governor Hyacinth Alia. The governor confirmed that students were among those taken but did not provide an exact number of victims. Local media outlets indicated that about 14 passengers were on board at the time of the incident.
“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 a statement.
Search operations have been launched across the area as security forces work to locate and rescue those abducted, the governor added. He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with authorities during ongoing efforts.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Benue region has experienced repeated incidents of armed violence, with criminal groups frequently targeting rural communities and travelers. Kidnappings for ransom have become a persistent threat, particularly along highways where security presence is limited.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, continues to face a complex security situation involving insurgent groups, armed gangs and other criminal networks. Abductions involving students have drawn widespread attention in recent years, as schools and young people are often seen as high-profile targets that generate pressure for ransom payments.
Governor Alia said authorities remain committed to protecting lives and property, emphasizing that decisive measures will continue to be taken against those responsible for such attacks.
The latest abduction highlights the ongoing risks associated with road travel in parts of Nigeria, particularly in areas where security coverage is limited. Highways connecting major towns often pass through remote regions, making them vulnerable to attacks by armed groups.
The involvement of students adds to growing concerns about safety in the education sector. Over recent years, kidnappings involving students have become a major issue, disrupting education and creating fear among families and communities.
Financial incentives remain a key driver behind such attacks. Kidnapping for ransom has become a profitable activity for criminal groups, with victims often selected based on their perceived value or the likelihood of attracting attention. Students traveling to examinations are especially vulnerable because they are often in transit without security protection.
The lack of a claim of responsibility reflects a broader pattern in which loosely organized groups operate without clear identification. This makes it more difficult for authorities to track and dismantle these networks, as attackers may shift locations or operate under different identities.
Efforts to address the problem have included increased security deployments and community-based initiatives. However, the continued occurrence of such incidents suggests that additional measures may be needed, including better intelligence gathering, improved coordination among agencies and stronger infrastructure in affected areas.
Public cooperation remains critical to response efforts. Information from local communities can assist security forces in identifying suspects and improving response times.
Long-term solutions will likely depend on addressing underlying challenges such as poverty, unemployment and limited access to education, which can contribute to the growth of criminal activity. Without tackling these root causes, progress may be difficult to sustain.
For now, authorities are focused on securing the safe return of those abducted. The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges facing Nigeria and the urgent need for effective solutions.
AP
