At least 14 passengers mostly candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME being conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB have been abducted by gunmen along the Makurdi-Otukpo Road in Benue State, North-Central Nigeria.
The victims mostly young adults were said to be travelling in a Benue Links bus from Makurdi to Otukpo when the vehicle was attacked on Wednesday night.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bus, which was conveying about 18 passengers, was intercepted near Otukpo around 8pm by suspected bandits who took most of the occupants into the bush.
He said two people, the driver and one passenger, managed to escape.
Executive Chairman of Otukpo local government council, Prince Maxwell Ogiri confirmed the incident, saying that it occurred between 7pm and 8pm on Wednesday.
He added that security agents have been mobilised to rescue the victims, stating that the victims are all young people coming to Otukpo to write the JAMB examinations.
State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari also, confirmed the abduction incident, saying 14 passengers were kidnapped, while one passenger escaped.
The commissioner disclosed that he had already arrived in Otukpo conducting the rescue operation.
According to him, the command had commenced an investigation into the incident, particularly the circumstances surrounding the journey.
He maintained that Benue Links management has a policy against night travel, but the driver allegedly picked up passengers after official hours.
The CP however assured that as investigation continues, the security operatives who are on ground will make sure that the victims are rescued.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
