Passenger fleeing UTME-bound bus attack slips past armed abductors, runs for hours in the dark to safety as police intensify manhunt

A survivor of the recent kidnapping along the Otukpo–Makurdi road in Benue State has delivered a chilling account of survival, detailing how he outsmarted armed abductors and escaped after a terrifying night in the bush.

The attack occurred when gunmen ambushed a commercial bus carrying passengers, many of whom were reportedly travelling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). In the chaos that followed, several passengers were forcefully taken into the bush, while a few managed to escape.

One of the escapees described a tense moment that changed everything. According to him, he quietly slipped away and concealed himself as the kidnappers moved through the area.

“I hid myself in that bush, and they all walked past me… that was when I came out and began to run,” he recounted.

What followed was a desperate race for survival. Alone in the dark and unsure of his direction, he ran for hours through unfamiliar terrain, driven by fear and determination. By early morning, he eventually stumbled onto a road, where he encountered local residents who helped him reach safety.

Authorities have confirmed the abduction and say efforts are ongoing to rescue those still in captivity. The Benue State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, as security concerns deepen over increasing attacks on travellers—particularly students—in the region.

The incident adds to growing anxiety about safety on major highways, with calls mounting for stronger protection measures to safeguard commuters and vulnerable groups.