In an update published by **Channels TV**, security forces have successfully rescued the remaining 13 passengers who were kidnapped from a Benue State-owned transport vehicle earlier this week. The operation, which involved a combined team of military and police personnel, culminated in the safe return of all victims without any ransom payment reported.
The rescue brings an end to a tense week-long ordeal that had sparked nationwide concern over the safety of travelers on major highways. While the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) initially clarified that the victims were not UTME candidates, the incident highlighted the ongoing vulnerability of public transportation in the North Central region.
**The Punch** verified the rescue, stating “Security forces rescue 13 remaining Benue kidnap victims,” and **ThisDay** confirmed that “kidnapped Benue travellers were not UTME candidates,” as clarified by official sources.
**Echotitbits take:** The success of this rescue mission is a morale booster for the security agencies, but the frequency of highway abductions remains a systemic threat. Watch for increased aerial surveillance and patrol density on the Benue-Kogi-Abuja corridor.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/just-in-security-forces-rescue-13-remaining-benue-kidnap-victims/, and April 19, 2026
Photo credit: The Punch
