Gunmen have abducted at least 14 passengers, many believed to be candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), along the Makurdi-Otukpo highway 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 reportedly ambushed an 18-seater Benue Links bus a few kilometres from Otukpo at about 7pm.
According to a source, the armed men intercepted the vehicle on the highway and forced the passengers into a nearby forest.
“All the passengers were taken into the bush. We understand that most of them were students heading to Otukpo for JAMB,” the source disclosed.
The bus was said to be fully occupied at the time of the attack, although about four individuals, including the driver, reportedly escaped.
Security operatives have since launched a search-and-rescue operation aimed at locating the victims and apprehending those responsible.
Confirming the development, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, said he had deployed tactical units and Divisional Police Officers to the area to coordinate the operation.
“I am currently in Otukpo, and all available teams have been mobilised into the bush. I am personally leading the effort,” he said.
Emenari explained that the vehicle was attacked after being stopped by the assailants, who then abducted the passengers, noting that one individual managed to flee.
The police commissioner also raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the trip, stating that Benue Links does not operate night services.
“From available information, the company had already closed for the day. However, the driver reportedly picked up passengers along the route, which is against operational policy. That is how the incident occurred,” he added.
He assured that investigations were ongoing and reiterated the command’s determination to secure the safe release of the abducted passengers.
