Gunmen Abduct JAMB Candidates in Benue State, Police Launch Investigation
In a distressing incident highlighting the escalating insecurity in Nigeria's Benue State, gunmen have abducted passengers, including candidates for the ongoing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination. The attack occurred on the night of April 15, 2026, along the Makurdi-Otukpo road, targeting a Benue Links bus traveling from Makurdi to Otukpo.
Details of the Attack on Benue Links Bus
According to reports, the bus was carrying approximately 18 passengers when it was intercepted near Otukpo around 8 pm by suspected bandits. Most of the passengers were forcibly taken into the bush, while two individuals, including the driver, managed to escape. A source revealed that the passengers were primarily young men and women en route to sit for the JAMB examination scheduled for the following day, Thursday.
Police Confirm Abductions and Launch Rescue Operation
The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed that 14 passengers were abducted, with one victim escaping. He stated, "I am in Otukpo now with all my team and DPOs who are here in the bush and am heading the operation. What happened was that one Benue Links bus carrying passengers coming to Otukpo was stopped and attacked by hoodlums and 14 passengers were kidnapped but one was able to escape." Emenari added that investigations have commenced, focusing on why the bus was operating at night despite Benue Links' policy against night travel.
Local Government Response and Security Concerns
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the incident, noting that security operatives have been deployed to the forest to rescue the victims. "The victims are mainly young boys and girls coming to Otukpo to write JAMB," Ogiri emphasized. This attack underscores the worsening insecurity along the Makurdi-Otukpo road, where passengers have faced repeated assaults by gunmen in recent months. Authorities have pledged to intensify rescue efforts and strengthen security measures to protect travelers.
Broader Context of Insecurity in the Region
This incident follows a similar attack in Plateau State, where gunmen abducted 28 travelers, including children, in Zak community within the Bashar district of Wase Local Government Area. The victims were traveling to attend a Maulud religious event when ambushed around 8 pm. A youth leader, Sapi'i Sambo, confirmed the abduction, noting that the group included men, women, children, two princes, and a religious leader. The discovery of an abandoned vehicle raised alarms, deepening fear in an area already plagued by security breaches.
The abduction of JAMB candidates has sparked widespread concern, as it disrupts educational pursuits and highlights the urgent need for enhanced security in Nigeria's vulnerable regions. Police and local authorities continue their rescue operations, with the public awaiting updates on the victims' safe return.
