At least 15 individuals, including women and children, have been reported missing following an attack on an 18-seater bus traveling from Zaki/Biam in Benue State to Maihura in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when armed individuals suspected to be vigilantes assaulted the bus near Gankwe village along the Donga-Mararaban-Baissa road in Donga Local Government Area.
The bus driver, Mr. Mpuuga Mbaave, narrowly escaped with machete wounds and recounted the harrowing ordeal to journalists. Mbaave described encountering individuals in vigilante attire near Mararaba, prompting him to stop the vehicle. Despite being urged by a passing villager to continue, Mbaave sensed danger. His suspicions were confirmed when the supposed vigilantes began shouting and attacking passengers, accusing them of being responsible for the death of two vigilante members allegedly killed by kidnappers.
According to Mbaave, passengers were forced out of the bus, ordered to lie facedown, and subsequently attacked with machetes. Though he initially resisted leaving the bus, Mbaave eventually fled along with his conductor to escape the brutal assault.
Ezra Voka, the Chairman of Doonga Local Government Council, confirmed the incident and disclosed his involvement in the search for the missing individuals, currently underway in the nearby forest. “Please my friend, I am already in the bush in search of the missing people. We cannot talk much now till when I get more information from here,” Voka stated.