Panic spread in Benue State following the reported abduction of candidates traveling to sit for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
While local sources claim that 17 candidates were taken, the Benue State Commissioner of Police confirmed that 14 persons were abducted, noting that one victim later escaped from the kidnappers.
The incident occurred between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Wednesday, 15th April, along the Benue Burnt Bricks area in Otukpo, Otukpo Local Government Area.
According to reports, the candidates were on their way to examination centres in Otukpo when their vehicle was ambushed by armed men.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants first robbed the passengers of their valuables before forcing them into the nearby bush. The exact number of those abducted remains unclear due to conflicting accounts.
One eyewitness, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the attack involved a Benue Links bus conveying about 18 passengers. The bus reportedly ran into the kidnappers at about 8:00 PM on Wednesday.
Security agencies are yet to issue a full statement on rescue efforts, but the incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of students traveling for national examinations in the region.
