Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted several candidates travelling for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Benue State after attacking a Benue Links commercial bus.
The incident according to Channels TV, reportedly occurred between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, near Burnt Bricks in Otukpo Local Government Area, where the assailants ambushed the vehicle conveying young candidates to their examination centres.
Sources said the attackers robbed the passengers before forcing many of them into the bush, with reports initially indicating that about 17 candidates were feared abducted.
An eyewitness disclosed that the bus, carrying about 18 passengers, encountered the kidnappers around 8 p.m., noting that most of those onboard were students heading for the JAMB examination scheduled for Thursday.
“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,” the eyewitness said.
Confirming the incident, General Manager of Benue Links, Mr. Alexander Fanafa, stated, “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.”
Also confirming the development, Otukpo Local Government Chairman, Prince Maxwell Ogiri, said security operatives had been deployed, adding, “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.”
Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, who is leading the operation in Otukpo, said 14 passengers were kidnapped while one escaped, assuring that security teams had launched a coordinated rescue effort and investigation into the circumstances surrounding the night journey.