A tragic abduction in Benue State sees JAMB candidates kidnapped while travelling for their exams.
A journey meant for academic advancement has turned into a nightmare for families in Benue State. Gunmen have abducted several passengers, including candidates scheduled to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, along the Makurdi–Otukpo Road.
The victims were traveling in a Benue Links bus on Wednesday night when the attackers struck. Reports indicate the bus was intercepted near Otukpo around 8 pm, and the assailants whisked most of the occupants into the nearby bush.
A source close to the incident revealed that the passengers were predominantly young people. They were heading to Otukpo to sit for the JAMB examination scheduled for Thursday. While the driver and one passenger managed to flee, others were not so lucky.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ifeanyi Emenari, has confirmed the disturbing event. He stated that 14 passengers were kidnapped, though one victim was able to escape from the captors. The police boss noted that he is currently on the ground in Otukpo, personally leading the rescue team through the forests.
Preliminary investigations have uncovered a possible violation of safety protocols. The police chief pointed out that the transport company has a standing policy against night travel. It appears the driver picked up passengers after official hours, putting lives at risk.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, also validated the incident. He assured residents that security operatives have been fully deployed to the area to secure the safe release of the victims. This latest attack adds to the growing concerns regarding safety on the Makurdi–Otukpo route.
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