At least 14 passengers, including Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates, have been abducted by suspected gunmen in a late-night ambush along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Benue State.
The incident occurred between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, when a commercial vehicle belonging to the Benue Links Transport Company was intercepted while conveying passengers, many of whom were teenagers and young adults heading to sit for the national examination.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers ambushed the fully loaded bus near Otukpo, robbed the occupants, and forced them into a nearby forest.
Further findings revealed that the journey may have violated the transport company’s safety protocols. Management of Benue Links reportedly prohibits night travel due to security risks, yet the driver allegedly undertook the trip outside approved hours.
The driver managed to escape along with a few other passengers and is now in custody, assisting with investigations.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident and stated that security operatives have been deployed to the area. A coordinated search-and-rescue operation is currently underway, with officers combing nearby forests in an effort to locate the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
Local authorities have intensified security presence along the affected route. They acknowledged that most of the victims were students heading to write their examinations.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among parents and the public, as it highlights the dangers faced by young Nigerians who must travel long distances under unsafe conditions to reach examination centres.
As of the time of filing this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted candidates are ongoing.
