The Management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited has confirmed the arrest of the driver of its 18-seater bus involved in the unfortunate kidnapping of passengers, mostly candidates sitting for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, April 15, 2026, along the Makurdi-Otukpo road near Ikubi in Otukpo Local Government Area. Gunmen ambushed the bus conveying approximately 16-18 passengers, primarily young candidates heading to Otukpo examination centres for their UTME papers scheduled for Thursday, April 16.
Reports indicate that the attackers abducted between 14 and 15 passengers, while the driver and one or two passengers managed to escape. The victims were reportedly robbed before being taken into the bush.
In a statement, the General Manager of Benue Links, Dr. Alexander Fanafa, disclosed that the driver has been arrested and is currently in police custody in Otukpo. He is undergoing interrogation for violating the company’s strict safety policy, which prohibits night travel beyond 6:00 p.m. and requires official approval for all trips.
“The driver embarked on the journey after official closing hours without authorisation from the park manager, thereby endangering the lives of the passengers. This action is contrary to our operational guidelines designed to ensure the safety of our commuters, especially on high-risk routes,” the management stated.
Benue Links management expressed deep regret over the incident and reassured the public of its commitment to the highest safety standards. The company is cooperating fully with security agencies in ongoing rescue efforts and investigations.
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction and launched a rescue operation, with personnel actively combing the area.
Parents, guardians, and the general public are urged to remain calm as authorities work to secure the safe release of the abducted candidates. Benue Links further appeals to all operators and drivers to strictly adhere to safety protocols to prevent recurrence of such tragic events.