Makurdi, Benue State — Gunmen have reportedly abducted passengers, including candidates of the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Benue State.
The victims were said to be travelling in a bus belonging to Benue Links Nigeria Limited from Makurdi to Otukpo when the vehicle was attacked on Wednesday night.
Sources familiar with the incident disclosed that the bus, carrying about 18 passengers, was intercepted by armed men around 8 p.m. near Otukpo. The attackers reportedly forced the vehicle to stop before taking several passengers into a nearby bush.
Some of those abducted were said to be candidates heading to sit for the ongoing examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation, described the attack as swift, noting that “the gunmen blocked the road and moved the passengers away before any help could come.”
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from security agencies regarding the exact number of abducted persons or any rescue operation.
However, the incident adds to growing insecurity along the Makurdi–Otukpo corridor, an axis that has witnessed repeated attacks on commuters in recent times.
The development has also drawn attention online after it was shared by Rufai Oseni, raising fresh concerns about the safety of travellers, particularly students moving for national examinations.