Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted several candidates travelling to sit for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Benue State.
The incident involved a commercial bus operated by the state-owned Benue Links transport company, which was ambushed while heading to Otukpo. Reports indicate that between 14 and 17 passengers were taken, although authorities are still confirming the exact number.
The attack reportedly occurred between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, along the Benue Burnt Bricks area in Otukpo Local Government Area.
According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants intercepted the vehicle, robbed passengers of their valuables, and then forced them into the surrounding bush.
“The passengers were mainly young persons heading to Otukpo to sit for the JAMB examination scheduled for Thursday.
“Two people, the driver and one passenger, managed to escape. Incidentally, the passengers were mainly young men and women who travelled to sit for the JAMB examination scheduled for today (Thursday),” the source said.
The General Manager of Benue Links, Alexander Fanafa, confirmed the attack and revealed that the driver had been taken into custody for allegedly violating the company’s directive against travelling after 6 p.m.
“As I speak with you, the driver has been arrested and is under investigation for traveling against company directive. I have warned all drivers to stop night journeys, as they would be held as first suspects if anything unfortunate happens,” he said.
He further explained that the driver had picked up passengers after official working hours, despite the transport park being closed.
Local authorities have since mobilised security personnel to rescue the victims. The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Prince Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed that efforts are ongoing.
“It is true, I’m just coming out from a security meeting, and security operatives have been moved into the forest to help rescue the kidnapped victims.
“The victims are mainly young boys and girls coming to Otukpo to write JAMB,” Ogiri said.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, provided a slightly different figure, stating that 14 passengers were abducted, with one managing to escape.
“I am in Otukpo now with all my team and DPOs who are here in the bush, and I am heading the operation.
“What happened was that one Benue Links bus carrying passengers coming to Otukpo was stopped and attacked by hoodlums, and 14 passengers were kidnapped, but one was able to escape,” he said.
The police have also launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the journey, particularly the driver’s decision to travel at night despite existing safety policies.
“We know that Benue Links has a policy and don’t usually drive at night. So from what I got, they have already closed, but the driver, for reasons best known to him which we are still trying to find out, picked passengers along the road, and when he came here, the story you have is what we are having.
“But as we are investigating, we are on the ground to make sure that the victims are rescued,” Emenari added.
Authorities say search and rescue operations are ongoing as families await updates on the fate of the abducted candidates.
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