Gunmen have abducted several passengers, including candidates sitting for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday night when a commercial bus operated by Benue Links was ambushed while conveying travellers from Makurdi to Otukpo.
Sources told reporters that the vehicle, carrying about 18 passengers—mostly young people heading to write their examination—was intercepted by armed men around 8 p.m. near Otukpo.
A source familiar with the incident said the attackers forced the bus to a halt before taking most of the occupants into a nearby forest.
“The passengers were mainly young men and women travelling to sit for the UTME scheduled for Thursday. The attackers took them into the bush,” the source said.
According to the source, the driver and one passenger managed to escape during the attack.
However, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed that 14 passengers were abducted, noting that one victim escaped.
“A Benue Links bus conveying passengers to Otukpo was attacked by hoodlums, and 14 passengers were kidnapped. One person managed to escape,” Emenari said.
The police commissioner added that he was personally leading a rescue operation in the area, alongside divisional police officers and other security personnel.
“I am currently in Otukpo with my team, coordinating efforts in the bush to ensure the victims are rescued,” he said.
Emenari also disclosed that preliminary findings suggest the journey may have violated transport safety protocols, as the company reportedly discourages night travel.
“The management of Benue Links has a policy against night journeys, but the driver allegedly picked up passengers after official hours. We are investigating the circumstances,” he added.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the attack, stating that security operatives had been deployed to track down the assailants and rescue the victims.
“Security agencies have moved into the forest to ensure the safe return of those abducted. Most of the victims are young candidates coming to write their exams,” Ogiri said.
The Makurdi–Otukpo highway has witnessed repeated security incidents in recent months, raising fresh concerns about the safety of commuters, especially during late-hour travel.
