Benue abduction: Police rescue 18 victims including exam candidates, suspects detained

Security forces in Benue State, Nigeria, have rescued 18 abducted passengers, including eight university entrance exam candidates, following an armed attack on the Makurdi–Otukpo highway last week, according to Premium Times Nigeria and MyJoyOnline. The victims were kidnapped while traveling for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations, and the rescue operation resulted in the detention of seven suspects believed to be militia herdsmen, the Benue State Police confirmed via Vanguard Nigeria.

Among the rescued victims was Agatha Buter, one of the UTME candidates, who provided a detailed account of the ordeal. She described being held captive alongside others under harsh conditions, where the kidnappers fed them local foods such as garri, mangoes, and salt but subjected them to physical abuse using cutlasses, as reported by Vanguard Nigeria. The rescued passengers underwent medical checkups and are now safe following the coordinated security effort.

Benue Governor Samuel Ortom has called on JAMB to make special arrangements for the affected candidates to take their exams safely, according to Premium Times Nigeria. However, conflicting reports from JAMB, police, and the governor’s office have surfaced regarding the victim details and examination center allocations, raising concerns about operational challenges in the examination and security logistics in the state as noted by Premium Times Nigeria.

The arrests of the seven suspects linked to the kidnappings have been praised by local authorities, who emphasize the importance of continued security operations along the Makurdi–Otukpo corridor to prevent future incidents, according to Vanguard Nigeria. The police stated 13 victims were rescued on Sunday, with five others released earlier, indicating a phased resolution of the crisis.

Security agencies and education officials are closely monitoring the situation and deciding on the rescheduling of exams to accommodate the affected candidates, as overseen by Governor Ortom and JAMB authorities. The outcome of these decisions will be critical in ensuring the safety and academic progression of students in Benue State amid ongoing regional security challenges.