At least 14 passengers, many believed to be candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, were reportedly kidnapped by armed men along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Benue State
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening as the victims were travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo Local Government Area to sit for their examination.
The attackers ambushed the vehicle, an 18-seater bus operated by Benue Links, a few kilometres before reaching Otukpo at about 7pm. Eyewitness accounts indicated that the gunmen intercepted the bus on the highway and forced the passengers into a nearby forest.
“The passengers were all marched into the forest. From what we gathered, most of them were students coming to Otukpo to write JAMB.”
According to a local source, the bus was fully occupied at the time, but a small number of passengers, including the driver, managed to escape during the attack.
“As we speak, the police and other security personnel have commenced a search operation to rescue the victims and track down the criminals.”
Confirming the development, Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ifeanyi Emenari, said security operatives have been deployed to the area and are actively carrying out rescue operations.
“I am in Otukpo now. All my team and DPOs are in the bush, and I am personally heading the operation.”
“What happened was that a Benue Links bus carrying passengers to Otukpo was stopped and attacked by hoodlums. 14 passengers were kidnapped, while one managed to escape.”
The police boss also raised concerns about the timing of the journey, stressing that Benue Links does not usually operate night trips.
“Benue Links, as a policy, does not usually travel at night. From the information I have, the company had already closed for the day, but the driver, for reasons we are still trying to ascertain, picked up passengers along the road. That is how the incident happened.”
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