Insecurity worsens in Benue as gunmen ambush, abduct 14 JAMB candidates

Barely three days after Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State ordered Security Agencies to flush criminals out of the State, armed men suspected to be herdsmen have abducted 14 passengers from a commercial bus travelling along Makurdi-Otukpo Road said to be candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The coordinated operations meant to dislodge armed herders and terrorist camps identified in forests around Apa, Otukpo, Gwer-West and other parts of the State was based on the directive of Mr Governor.

BusinessDay gathered that the victims were said to be travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo Local Government Area on Wednesday evening for their scheduled examination when the incident occurred.

It was also gathered that the vehicle, which was an 18-seater Benue Links bus, was ambushed by the gunmen few kilometres from Otukpo town at about 7pm on Wednesday.

An informed source, who identified himself as Onah, explained that the attackers stopped the bus on the highway and forced the passengers and the driver into a nearby forest.

“All the occupants of the bus alongside the driver were orced into the bush to an unknown destination and from what we heard most of them were pupils coming to Otukpo to write JAMB”, the source said.

Another source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that about four persons, including the driver of the vehicle managed to escape.

Police and other Security Agencies have, however, started combining the area to rescue the victims and track down the criminals.

When contacted, Ifeanyi Emenari, Benue State Commissioner of Police, who confirmed the incident, said he had mobilised tactical teams and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to the Area to lead rescue efforts.

“I am in Otukpo now. All my team and DPOs are in the bush, and I am personally heading the operation.

“What happened was that a Benue Links bus carrying passengers to Otukpo was stopped and attacked by hoodlums. 14 passengers were kidnapped, while one managed to escape”, the CP said.

The Police Command on the same Wednesday responded to the directives of Governor Alia by reiterating its statutory responsibility and ongoing efforts to lead security agency in the operations.