Several students travelling to write the 2026 UTME are feared kidnapped after gunmen attacked a commercial bus in Benue State.
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers attacked a vehicle belonging to Benue Links, the Benue State-owned transport company, on Wednesday night along the Benue Burnt Bricks area in Otukpo Local Government Area. The bus was reportedly carrying passengers heading to Otukpo for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Initial reports said about 17 candidates were taken, but the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, later confirmed that 14 passengers were abducted, while one passenger escaped.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers stopped the bus between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., robbed passengers of their belongings, and forced several victims into the bush. Many of those on board were said to be young men and women travelling for their JAMB examination scheduled for Thursday.
Benue Links General Manager, Alexander Fanafa, confirmed the incident and said the driver had been detained for questioning. He stated that the company has a strict policy against travelling after 6 p.m. and accused the driver of operating outside approved hours.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government, Prince Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the attack. He said security operatives had been deployed into nearby forests to rescue the victims.
Police Commissioner Emenari said he was personally leading the rescue mission in Otukpo, alongside divisional police officers and tactical teams.
The abduction has raised fresh concerns over insecurity in Benue State, especially as students travel across the country for major examinations.
Authorities say rescue efforts are ongoing as families await positive news.
