Police Arrest Seven Over UTME Candidates Abduction in Benue

Police Arrest Seven Over UTME Candidates Abduction in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has arrested seven suspects in connection with the abduction of passengers, including individuals travelling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), along the Makurdi–Otukpo road.

The arrests followed a coordinated security operation in Amla Forest and surrounding areas, which also led to the rescue of some victims.

Police spokesperson, Udeme Edet, disclosed that those rescued are currently receiving medical attention, while investigations have been intensified to track down other members of the gang.

“The operation has led to the successful rescue of some of the victims, who are currently receiving medical attention. Further intelligence led to the arrest of seven suspects,” she said.

The incident occurred on April 15 when gunmen attacked a commercial bus belonging to Benue Links along the Benue Burnt Bricks axis in Otukpo Local Government Area.

The attackers reportedly ambushed the vehicle at night, dispossessed passengers of their belongings, and whisked away about 14 occupants into the forest.

The bus was said to be conveying about 18 passengers, many of them young candidates heading to write the UTME.

In the aftermath of the attack, at least two victims managed to escape, while concerns mounted among families, particularly over reports that two teenage siblings were among those abducted.

The police, however, clarified that the victims were not part of any organised student movement but regular passengers on a commercial trip.

Authorities had earlier taken the driver of the vehicle into custody for breaching operational guidelines by embarking on a night journey and allegedly picking up passengers without proper documentation.

Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, said security operatives have sustained pressure on the criminal network, with ongoing operations across forested locations aimed at rescuing those still in captivity and preventing further attacks.

Residents have been urged to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could aid the ongoing rescue efforts and help restore confidence along the route, which has witnessed repeated security challenges in recent times.