By Our Reporter
Gunmen have abducted at least 14 passengers, many believed to be candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in an attack along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Benue State.
The victims were reportedly travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo Local Government Area on Wednesday evening to sit for their examinations when the incident occurred. The 18-seater Benue Links bus conveying them was ambushed a few kilometres from Otukpo town at about 7 p.m.
According to a source, the attackers intercepted the vehicle on the highway and forced the passengers into a nearby forest. Most of those abducted were said to be students heading to write their JAMB exams.
The source added that although the bus was fully occupied, about four individuals, including the driver, managed to escape from the scene.
Security operatives have since launched a search-and-rescue operation to secure the release of the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Confirming the development, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ifeanyi Emenari, said he had deployed tactical teams and Divisional Police Officers to the area and was personally leading the operation.
He explained that the bus was attacked after being stopped by armed hoodlums, resulting in the abduction of 14 passengers, while one person escaped.
The police commissioner, however, raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the journey, noting that Benue Links does not typically operate night services. He revealed that the company had officially closed for the day, but the driver allegedly picked up passengers along the route, leading to the unfortunate incident.
Emenari assured that investigations were ongoing and reiterated the command’s commitment to rescuing the victims safely.