Armed assailants have abducted at least 14 passengers, many of whom are suspected to be candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, along the Makurdi–Otukpo highway in Benue State.
The victims were reportedly on their way from Makurdi to Otukpo Local Government Area on Wednesday evening to sit for their examination when the attack occurred.
The vehicle conveying them, an 18-seater bus belonging to Benue Links, was intercepted by gunmen a few kilometres from Otukpo around 7pm. The attackers were said to have halted the bus and forced the occupants 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.”
Sources disclosed that the bus was fully occupied at the time of the incident, but about four people, including the driver, managed to escape.
“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 attack, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, said he has deployed tactical teams and divisional officers to lead rescue efforts in the area.
“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.”
He also questioned why the journey took place at that hour, noting that the transport company does not operate night services.
“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.”
