Some unknown gunmen have abducted at least 10 passengers traveling in a commercial bus from Wukari, Taraba State, to Gboko, Benue State, in Jootar, Ukum Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue.

The passengers, said to be artisans, were heading to Akure in a Sharon bus when their abductors stopped their vehicle, forced the driver out of the bus before driving into one of the forests in Jootar.

According to a source, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard in confidence, he received a call from the driver, who informed him of the development shortly after the incident occurred on Friday afternoon.

He said: “The driver called me that his vehicle, a Sharon bus, was stopped by heavily armed gunmen. He said they took his bus, abandoned him and drove the vehicle into the bush with 10 persons who looked like artisans who were supposed to alight in Gbok

“He said his phone was collected and he had to use somebody’s phone to call me just as the incident happened. The driver, who is somebody I know very well, said the incident happened around 12pm on Friday.

“The driver said he picked the passengers from Takum Junction, Wukari in Taraba State, and that the incident happened just two kilometres from there in Jootar, Ukum LGA. According to the driver, they were supposed to drop in Gboko as they were en route to Akure in Ondo State.”

Speaking on the incident, the lawmaker representing Ukum Constituency, Mr Ezra Nyiyongo, said: “I was told that a vehicle was intercepted. According to what I heard, he said he picked those people from Wukari, Taraba State, to convey them to Gboko. According to the driver, the victims were intercepted in Jootar, while they were going to Akure for menial jobs.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene, said she had yet to receive any report on the incident.