Outrage as gunmen kidnap 14 JAMB candidates in Benue

Unknown gunmen have reportedly abducted 14 passengers said to be candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, during an attack on a commercial bus travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo in Benue State.

It was gathered that the victims, who are young adults, were travelling on Wednesday night to Otukpo, where they were scheduled to sit for their examinations on Thursday.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m when the bus conveying about 16 passengers, mainly young men and women, was ambushed by the gunmen along the route.

It was learnt that only the driver and one passenger managed to escape the attack.

Confirming the incident to newsmen in Makurdi, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said the victims were travelling to the town for their UTME examinations when the attackers waylaid them.

“The victims are young people coming to Otukpo to write JAMB. Security agents have been deployed and efforts are ongoing to rescue them,” Ogiri said.

Efforts to obtain a response from Benue Links, the state-owned transport company, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as neither the spokesperson nor the General Manager responded to calls or messages.

State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive an official report on the incident.

“I’m just hearing it from you now. I’m going to confirm and get back to you,” she said.

Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Enemari, confirmed the development, stating that he is personally leading an operation in Otukpo to rescue the victims.

“I’m in Otukpo now. My team and all DPOs are in the bush, and I am heading the operation,” Enemari said.

The Benue police boss explained that the bus was intercepted by armed men, resulting in the abduction of most of the passengers.

“What happened was that a Benue Links bus carrying passengers to Otukpo was stopped and attacked by hoodlums. Fourteen passengers were kidnapped, but one managed to escape,” he said.

The police commissioner also noted that the bus may have been operating outside approved hours.

Enemari assured that security operatives are working to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted passengers.

“We are on the ground to make sure the victims are rescued,” he said