13 Abducted Bus Passengers Rescued in Benue, Police Confirm

Security operatives have successfully rescued the remaining 13 passengers abducted by gunmen on Wednesday night in Benue State.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed the development in a text message to reporters on Sunday morning. He added that the rescued victims would be brought to Makurdi shortly, after which a news conference would be held.

“Yes, we are planning a news conference this morning when they arrive Makurdi. Good morning,” the CP said.

Armed men had intercepted a Benue Links transport vehicle on Wednesday night and abducted several passengers, including young men and women travelling to Otukpo to sit for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

On Friday, the police commissioner had announced that five victims were rescued, leaving 13 still in captivity.

Meanwhile, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) issued a statement on Saturday denying that any of its candidates were among those abducted. However, a relative of one of the victims, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, dismissed the board’s claim as “disturbing and dismissive.”

“My nephew was on that bus, and he was heading to Otukpo for his JAMB examination. In fact, most of the passengers were candidates. Only a few were not going for the exam. That explains why they hurried to travel that evening—they had exams scheduled for early the next day,” the relative said.