Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have attacked a commercial vehicle operated by Benue Links, abducting several candidates travelling to Otukpo for their examination centres in the ongoing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The incident reportedly occurred between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, along the Benue Burnt Bricks area in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Sources said the attackers ambushed the vehicle, robbed passengers of their belongings, and then took them into the surrounding bush.
An eyewitness, who spoke anonymously, said the bus was carrying about 18 passengers, mostly young people heading to sit for their JAMB examination scheduled for Thursday.
According to the witness, the driver and one passenger managed to escape during the attack, while the others were taken away.
The General Manager of Benue Links, Alexander Fanafa, confirmed the incident, stating that the driver is currently being questioned by police for violating the company’s directive prohibiting travel after 6:00 p.m.
He explained that the driver reportedly picked up passengers after official hours, despite the park having been closed, and proceeded with the journey before encountering the attackers.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the development, noting that security operatives had been deployed into nearby forests to rescue the victims.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, said 14 passengers were abducted, while one person escaped. He added that he is personally leading the rescue operation in the area alongside other officers.
The police have commenced investigations into the incident, particularly the circumstances surrounding the unauthorised night journey, while efforts continue to secure the safe release of the victims.