Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have attacked a commercial bus belonging to the Benue Links Nigeria Limited, abducting several passengers believed to be candidates travelling for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Benue State.
The incident reportedly occurred between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, along the Benue Burnt Bricks axis in Otukpo, Otukpo Local Government Area.
Sources said the attackers intercepted the vehicle, robbed passengers of their belongings, and forced several of them into the surrounding bush.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bus was carrying about 18 passengers, mostly young people heading to Otukpo for their UTME examination centres scheduled for Thursday.
According to the witness, only the driver and one passenger managed to escape the attack.
When contacted, the General Manager of Benue Links, Alexander Fanafa, confirmed the incident, adding that the driver has been arrested and is undergoing interrogation for allegedly violating the company’s safety policy on night travel.
He said the company directive prohibits drivers from operating beyond 6 p.m., warning that violations expose staff to avoidable security risks.
Fanafa noted that the driver had departed after official hours when the park had already closed, leading to the unfortunate encounter with the attackers.
The Executive Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the attack, stating that it occurred within the stated time frame on Wednesday evening.
He added that security agencies have been mobilised to track and rescue the abducted passengers, most of whom are young candidates travelling to sit for the JAMB examination.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing as security operatives intensify search-and-rescue operations in the area.
