In a distressing blow to the ongoing 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), gunmen have intercepted a state-owned transport vehicle in Benue State, kidnapping 14 passengers most of whom were students traveling for their exams.
The attack took place on Wednesday evening between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. near the Benue Burnt Bricks area in the Otukpo Local Government Area.
The victims were traveling aboard a Benue Links bus, heading toward exam centers in Otukpo, when they were targeted by the armed group.
According to witnesses, the assailants forced the vehicle to a halt and dispossessed the occupants of their personal items before dragging them into the nearby bush.
While an estimated 18 people were originally on the bus, only the driver and one passenger were initially reported to have evaded capture.
The management of Benue Links has expressed deep concern over the incident, particularly regarding the violation of safety protocols.
The General Manager, Mr. Alexander Fanafa, confirmed that the driver has been detained for questioning.
Fanafa explained that the company maintains a strict no night travel policy, forbidding drivers from being on the road after 6:00 p.m.
The driver allegedly bypassed official park management to load the passengers after hours, leading to the ill-fated journey.
“I have consistently warned all drivers that night journeys are prohibited. Any driver who flouts this directive will be treated as a primary suspect in the event of an emergency,” Fanafa stated.
Similarly, Prince Maxwell Ogiri, the Executive Chairman of Otukpo LG, confirmed that a security summit was held immediately following the attack, and a search party has been dispatched into the forest.
Leading the rescue mission is the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari.
The Commissioner, who is currently on the ground in Otukpo, confirmed that 14 individuals remain in captivity after one managed to escape the kidnappers’ grip.
“My team and several Divisional Police Officers are currently in the bush conducting a rescue operation,” Emenari said.
While the police are investigating the driver’s negligence, their primary objective is the safe return of the students to ensure they can sit for the exams.