Combined security operatives have rescued the remaining 13 passengers abducted on Wednesday night.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the development in a text message to journalists early on Sunday morning.
A police statement also indicated that the Commissioner would brief the press on the rescue operation at the Command Headquarters later in the day.
“Good morning, gentlemen of the press. Happy Sunday. Please note that there will be a press briefing by the Commissioner of Police concerning the rescue operation of the 13 kidnapped victims at the Command Headquarters today by 10:30 a.m. Thank you for your cooperation,” the statement read.
Further details of the operation are expected to be provided during the briefing.
Gunmen had attacked a Benue Links state-owned transport bus on Wednesday night, intercepting it and abducting several passengers.
Reports indicate that the attackers stopped the vehicle, robbed the passengers, and took a number of them into the bush.
Among those abducted were said to be young men and women travelling to Otukpo for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
On Friday, the police confirmed that two of the abducted passengers had earlier escaped from their captors.
Fifteen of the rescued victims have now arrived at the Old Banquet Hall of the Government House in Makurdi.
They were transported there by police officers in a Benue Links bus ahead of their presentation to Governor Hyacinth Alia, who is expected to address the media.
However, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) stated on Saturday that none of its candidates were among those abducted.
Police had earlier announced the arrest of seven suspects linked to the incident in Otukpo Local Government Area.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Command, Udeme Edet, the arrests were made through a coordinated operation involving multiple security agencies.
“The Benue State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a significant breakthrough following the kidnapping incident that occurred on 15th April, 2026 in Otukpo.
“Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven (7) suspects, who are currently in police custody while investigation is ongoing,” the statement read in part.
It added that operatives are continuing a targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and surrounding areas.
“The operation has led to the successful rescue of some of the victims, who are currently receiving medical attention,” the force said.
The Command also dismissed reports that the victims were students travelling for the UTME, describing the claim as inaccurate.
“The Command wishes to clarify misinformation circulating in some news media suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy conveying students to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
“The Command states that this claim is incorrect, as the victims were not confirmed to be part of any organised UTME-bound student convoy but passengers in a Makurdi-bound bus,” the statement read.