Police Launch Rescue Operation After 14 Passengers, Including JAMB Candidates, Abducted in Benue State

Benue State Police launch a rescue mission for 14 passengers, including JAMB candidates, kidnapped from a Benue Links bus during a night trip to Otukpo.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 6:16 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Newsdiaryonline

Emergency Tactical Deployment in Otukpo Following Mass Abduction

A major security operation is underway in Benue State following the confirmed abduction of 14 passengers along the Makurdi–Otukpo highway. Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Emenari disclosed on Thursday that a specialized team of officers and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) has been deployed to the surrounding forests to track the kidnappers. The incident has caused significant distress within the state, particularly as it involves students traveling for academic purposes during the national examination season.

JAMB Candidates Targeted During Unauthorized Night Journey

The victims were traveling in a commercial bus operated by Benue Links, a state-owned transport service, when they were ambushed on Wednesday night. According to police reports, a substantial number of the passengers were candidates for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams. While 14 individuals were initially captured, one passenger managed to escape the hoodlums and provide details of the attack to the authorities. The safety of the remaining 13 captives remains the primary focus of the ongoing police investigation.

Police Investigate Breach of Safety Protocols by Transport Driver

A key element of the police inquiry focuses on why the vehicle was operating outside of established safety hours. CP Emenari noted that Benue Links maintains a strict policy against night travel due to security risks. Preliminary findings suggest the driver moved the vehicle at night against official regulations and picked up additional passengers along the route. The command is investigating the driver's motivations for bypassing these security protocols, which directly exposed the passengers to the ambush.