National outrage has erupted after suspected gunmen abducted at least 14 students and other passengers travelling to sit for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Benue State.

The victims were kidnapped on Wednesday night when armed attackers ambushed a Benue Links commercial bus along the notorious Makurdi-Otukpo highway near Otukpo Local Government Area.

According to reports, the students were travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo to meet up with their Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination scheduled for Thursday when the attackers struck.

Witnesses said the bus, a Toyota Hiace operated by Benue Links, was carrying between 16 and 18 passengers when the gunmen stopped the vehicle, robbed the occupants, and dragged most of them into the bush.

The driver and one passenger reportedly escaped.

Confirming the attack, Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, said police tactical teams had launched rescue operations across the area.

“A Benue Links bus carrying passengers coming to Otukpo was stopped and attacked by hoodlums, and 14 passengers were kidnapped, but one was able to escape,” he said.

The General Manager of Benue Links, Dr. Alexander Fanafa, also confirmed the incident, stating that most of the abducted passengers were young UTME candidates desperate to arrive at their examination centres before the deadline.

Security operatives, alongside local vigilantes, have commenced an intensive search of nearby forests and communities in efforts to rescue the victims.

The incident has reignited concerns over worsening insecurity on the Makurdi-Otukpo road, a route repeatedly linked to kidnappings and violent attacks.

As of the time of filing this report, JAMB had yet to release an official statement on whether affected candidates would be allowed to reschedule their examinations.

Families of the abducted students have appealed for urgent intervention as fear grows over the safety of the victims.

Outrage in Benue as Over 200 Killed, Yet No State of Emergency — Nigerians Slam Presidential Silence

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National outrage has erupted after suspected gunmen abducted at least 14 students and other passengers travelling to sit for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Benue State.

The victims were kidnapped on Wednesday night when armed attackers ambushed a Benue Links commercial bus along the notorious Makurdi-Otukpo highway near Otukpo Local Government Area.

According to reports, the students were travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo to meet up with their Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination scheduled for Thursday when the attackers struck.

Witnesses said the bus, a Toyota Hiace operated by Benue Links, was carrying between 16 and 18 passengers when the gunmen stopped the vehicle, robbed the occupants, and dragged most of them into the bush.

The driver and one passenger reportedly escaped.

Confirming the attack, Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, said police tactical teams had launched rescue operations across the area.

“A Benue Links bus carrying passengers coming to Otukpo was stopped and attacked by hoodlums, and 14 passengers were kidnapped, but one was able to escape,” he said.

The General Manager of Benue Links, Dr. Alexander Fanafa, also confirmed the incident, stating that most of the abducted passengers were young UTME candidates desperate to arrive at their examination centres before the deadline.

Security operatives, alongside local vigilantes, have commenced an intensive search of nearby forests and communities in efforts to rescue the victims.

The incident has reignited concerns over worsening insecurity on the Makurdi-Otukpo road, a route repeatedly linked to kidnappings and violent attacks.

As of the time of filing this report, JAMB had yet to release an official statement on whether affected candidates would be allowed to reschedule their examinations.

Families of the abducted students have appealed for urgent intervention as fear grows over the safety of the victims.

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