All 13 remaining passengers abducted from an 18-seater Benue Links bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo road have regained their freedom, bringing relief to families and authorities after days of uncertainty.
The victims, who were kidnapped last Wednesday by armed men, were reportedly released in the early hours of Sunday following intensified security operations in the area. Among those freed are about eight candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examinations who were travelling to Otukpo to sit for their exams at the time of the attack.
Although authorities have yet to disclose the exact circumstances surrounding their release, sources indicated that sustained pressure from security operatives may have contributed to the outcome.
The passengers were held in captivity for approximately three days before regaining their freedom. Upon release, they were immediately evacuated for medical attention and are currently receiving treatment at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital in Otukpo.
The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed the development and assured that a detailed briefing would be provided to the public.
Though, the authority of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board had in a statement issued on Saturday denied any of its candidates victims of fulani abduction.
But a relative who spoke to journalists in Makurdi late Saturday had dismissed the JAMB statement.
A relative of one of the victims who requested anonymity, said JAMB’s statement was “disturbing and dismissive,” stressing that a large number of passengers on the bus were travelling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
“My nephew was on that bus, and he was heading to Otukpo for his JAMB examination. In fact, most of the passengers were candidates. Only a few were not going for the exam. That explains why they hurried to travel that evening, they had exams scheduled for early the next day.”
