8 Abducted Benue UTME Candidates, 7 Others Rescued

Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to make special arrangements to enable the rescued Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates to sit for their exams.

His appeal came as security operatives rescued 15 abducted UTME candidates and other passengers who were travelling in a bus belonging to Benue Links Nigeria Limited, a state-owned transport company on Makurdi- Otukpo Road on 15th April, 2026, after spending four days in captivity.

Alia said that among those rescued were eight students travelling to sit for JAMB examinations.

The state commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi, disclosed that all the passengers had regained their freedom following coordinated rescue operations.

He said the operation involved a joint effort by the police, the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Civil Defence, local vigilantes and other stakeholders, under the directive of the inspector -general of police.

Emenari disclosed this yesterday while presenting 15 of the rescued victims to Governor Alia at the Government House in Makurdi.

According to him, the last batch of thirteen victims was rescued in the early hours of Sunday after sustained pressure on the kidnappers within the forest.

Emenari added that seven suspects linked to the crime were arrested and were in custody, with ongoing investigations to apprehend other accomplices.

Receiving the rescued victims, Benue State Governor Alia commended security agencies for the successful rescue of passengers abducted from a Benue Links bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo road, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity across the state.

Governor Alia expressed appreciation to the Commissioner of Police and other security operatives for their “efforts and determination” in securing the victims’ freedom.

He disclosed that the passengers were kidnapped on 15 April at about 8 p.m. along the Taraku–Otukpo axis, noting that security agencies had worked tirelessly since then to ensure their safe return.

“I congratulate the Commissioner of Police and the joint task force for these tremendous efforts,” the governor said, adding that recent operations had recorded multiple rescues across the state, including victims in Katsina-Ala, Utonkon, and other troubled areas.

Providing details, Alia explained that 18 passengers were on board the vehicle, out of which 15 were abducted. “One victim escaped on the day of the incident, another the following morning, while the remaining 13 were successfully rescued by security operatives with support from local communities”

Governor Alia further revealed that seven suspected kidnappers have been arrested and are currently in police custody, describing them as armed bandits.

While commending the collaboration between state and federal security agencies, Governor Alia stressed that his administration would not tolerate any threat to peace in Benue.

“We will flush out all criminal elements and their hideouts. Benue has been a place of peace, and we cannot accommodate anything contrary,” he stated.

Governor Alia also directed the State Ministry of Health to ensure the rescued victims receive immediate medical attention at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, while urging communities to continue supporting security efforts by providing timely information.

The latest disclosure contradicts earlier positions by both the police and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which had said no UTME candidates were among those abducted.