Bandits Kidnap UTME Candidates

P Passengers, including candidates sitting for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination, have been abducted by suspected bandits along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Benue State.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night when a Benue Links bus conveying travellers from Makurdi to Otukpo was ambushed near its destination.

According to sources, the attackers intercepted the vehicle around 8pm and forcefully marched most of the passengers into a nearby bush. The victims were reportedly en route to Otukpo to participate in the ongoing UTME.

Two persons, including the driver, managed to escape the attack.

The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed that 14 passengers were kidnapped and said security operatives have launched a rescue operation.

He noted that the command is also probing the circumstances surrounding the trip, especially alleged violations of the transport company’s no-night-travel policy.