Suspected terrorists have abducted several passengers, including candidates of the ongoing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, in an attack along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Benue State, heightening concerns over the safety of commuters in the region.
The incident occurred on Wednesday night when a commercial bus belonging to Benue Links Transport Company was ambushed by armed men while en route from Makurdi to Otukpo. The victims were reportedly travelling to Otukpo to participate in the nationwide tertiary entrance examination scheduled for Thursday.
According to sources familiar with the incident, the bus, which was said to be carrying about 18 passengers, was intercepted at about 8:00 p.m. near Otukpo. The attackers reportedly forced the vehicle to a halt before herding most of the occupants into the surrounding bush.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity described the attack as swift and well-coordinated, noting that the majority of the victims were young people heading to sit for the JAMB examination.
“Two people managed to escape—the driver and one passenger,” the source said. “Most of those abducted were young men and women travelling to Otukpo to write their exams.”
However, the Nigeria Police Force in Benue State provided a slightly different account of the number of victims involved. The State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed the attack but stated that 14 passengers were abducted, while one individual successfully escaped.
Speaking during a telephone interview on Thursday, Emenari disclosed that he had personally relocated to the area to coordinate rescue operations, alongside Divisional Police Officers and other security personnel.
“I am currently in Otukpo with my team, including DPOs who are already combing the bush. I am personally leading the operation,” he said.
He explained that the bus was attacked by hoodlums while transporting passengers into Otukpo, adding that security operatives had since launched a coordinated search-and-rescue mission aimed at locating and freeing the victims.
“What happened was that a Benue Links bus carrying passengers to Otukpo was stopped and attacked by hoodlums. Fourteen passengers were kidnapped, and one managed to escape,” the police commissioner stated.
Emenari further revealed that an investigation had been initiated into the circumstances surrounding the journey, particularly in relation to the transport company’s operational policies. According to him, Benue Links has a standing directive prohibiting night travel, a rule he suggested may have been violated in this instance.
“The company has a policy against night movement, but from what we are gathering, the driver may have picked passengers beyond official hours,” he said.
Despite these concerns, the commissioner assured that the immediate priority of the police and other security agencies was the safe rescue of the abducted passengers.
“As we continue our investigation, we are also on the ground to ensure that the victims are rescued,” he added.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the incident, describing it as deeply troubling, especially given that many of the victims were students.
“It is true. I just came out of a security meeting, and operatives have already been deployed into the forest to track and rescue the kidnapped victims,” Ogiri said.
He reiterated that the abducted passengers were predominantly young candidates travelling to Otukpo to participate in the JAMB examination, underscoring the human cost of the attack.
The Makurdi–Otukpo road, a major route linking communities within the state, has in recent months become a hotspot for criminal activities, including kidnappings and armed attacks. Residents and commuters have repeatedly raised alarm over the deteriorating security situation along the corridor, calling for increased patrols and more robust security interventions.
Security analysts warn that such incidents not only threaten lives but also disrupt critical national activities, including education. The targeting of students travelling for examinations has particularly drawn concern, as it underscores the vulnerability of young people in transit.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could aid ongoing rescue efforts.
As of the time of filing this report, there had been no confirmed contact with the abductors, and no group had claimed responsibility for the attack.
The incident adds to the growing list of security challenges confronting Benue State and parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where armed groups have continued to exploit remote terrains and poorly secured highways to carry out attacks.
For families of the victims, the focus remains on the safe return of their loved ones, as security operatives intensify efforts to locate the abductees and bring the perpetrators to justice.
