Gunmen have reportedly abducted 14 passengers, most of whom are candidates for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations, in Benue State.

The candidates were traveling on a commercial bus from Makurdi, the state capital, to Otukpo, a major town in the state, when they were intercepted. 

While they were scheduled to sit for their examinations on Thursday, the ambush occurred between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

The bus was carrying approximately 16 passengers—primarily young men and women—when it was attacked along the route. 

Sources indicate that only the driver and one passenger managed to escape.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident to journalists in Makurdi. 

He stated that the victims were heading to Otukpo specifically for the JAMB exams when the attackers struck. 

“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 reach Benue Links—the state-owned transport company that owns the bus—were unsuccessful, as neither the spokesperson nor the General Manager responded to inquiries. 

When initially contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, stated she had not yet received an official report but promised to investigate.

However, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, later confirmed the development. 

He stated that he is personally leading a rescue operation in the Otukpo area. “I am in Otukpo now. 

“My team and all DPOs are in the bush, and I am heading the operation,” Emenari confirmed.

The Commissioner explained that the vehicle was intercepted by armed men, leading to the abduction of 14 passengers, though one person managed to escape.

He also noted that the bus might have been operating outside approved hours. “Benue Links has a policy against night travel. 

From what we gathered, official operations had closed, but the driver picked up passengers along the road for reasons we are still investigating,” Emenari added.

Security operatives have remained on the ground to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted candidates.