The management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited has confirmed the arrest of one of its drivers following a security breach that led to the abduction of several passengers, many of them candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
The incident occurred on the night of April 15, 2026, in the Ikobi area of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, when an 18-seater bus conveying passengers from Makurdi came under attack by armed men.
In a statement issued by the company’s Information Officer, Ehi Daniel, the management disclosed that the driver undertook the trip without authorization, in violation of established operational guidelines.
“The vehicle was conveying passengers, most of whom were scheduled to sit for the JAMB examination the following day, when it was attacked by armed persons,” the statement said.
According to the company, the driver and a few passengers managed to escape during the attack, while 15 others were abducted. It added that two of the victims later regained freedom, leaving 13 passengers still unaccounted for.
“Management wishes to state clearly that the journey was unauthorized and carried out in breach of company directives,” the statement added. .
“There is an existing policy prohibiting trips beyond 6pm due to prevailing security concerns, but the driver ignored this rule.”
The company further explained that the driver removed the vehicle from its premises without approval, picked up passengers, and embarked on the journey without proper documentation.
“As a result, the trip was not officially recorded, and the company currently lacks full details of the passengers, aside from indications that many were JAMB candidates,” it noted.
Benue Links confirmed that the driver is now in police custody, while investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The company is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted passengers,” the statement said. “We deeply sympathize with the families affected and share in their pain during this difficult time.”
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command also confirmed the arrest and assured that efforts are underway to rescue the victims.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said tactical teams have been deployed to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of those still in captivity.
“The Command has mobilized its anti-kidnapping units and is collaborating with other security agencies to rescue the victims and apprehend all those involved,” she said.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of commuters, as concerns continue to grow over insecurity on major routes across the state.
