Kidnapped UTME Candidates in Benue Detail Torture: Forced to Drink Dirty Water
Survivors of a harrowing kidnapping incident in Benue State have spoken out about their traumatic ordeal, describing four days of brutal treatment at the hands of armed abductors. The victims, who were traveling along the Taraku–Otukpo road, were attacked on Wednesday during a raid on a Benue Links vehicle before being rescued on Sunday morning following coordinated security operations.
Brutal Treatment in Forest Hideouts
Several of those rescued included candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) alongside other commuters. The students described being beaten, starved, and forced to endure harsh conditions while being moved through forest hideouts to avoid detection.
Gbenda Daniels, an 18-year-old victim, recounted how the attackers took his money and subjected him to physical abuse. "They collected my N8,000. They beat us, and we didn't eat anything; we only drank dirty water," he said.
Another candidate, Ngukulan Iornav, also 18, said their captors provided only minimal sustenance during captivity. "They gave us garri and salt. I was thoroughly beaten," she revealed.
Movement Through Forest and Ransom Demands
Orih Raphael Sylvester, a university student among the victims, described how they were repeatedly moved deeper into the forest. He said the group went without food on the first day and survived on unsafe water throughout the ordeal.
"We were taken into the bush and moved from one place to another. We didn't eat anything on the first night because we were constantly on the move," Sylvester explained.
He added that pressure was mounted on them to contact relatives for ransom payments while they were assaulted. "On the third day, they gave us garri and forced us to start calling our families while beating us," he said.
Sylvester further recounted that they were eventually instructed to move toward a road where security operatives later found them.
Injuries and Trauma
Sunday Augustine, another university student, said he sustained injuries during the attack. "They beat me badly and I injured my elbow," he stated.
Akor Jessica described the experience as deeply distressing. "It was a nightmare. We were on our way to write our exams. They beat me with big sticks and machetes at will, but God saw us through," she said.
Family Members Reveal Ransom Demands
A relative of two victims, Ochadgwuba Alexander, disclosed that kidnappers demanded large sums of money for each hostage. "The kidnappers demanded N10 million for each victim," he said.
He explained that he eventually delivered part of the ransom and supplies before security agencies intervened to secure their release.
Governor Calls for Support and Medical Care
Governor Hyacinth Alia received the victims at the Government House in Makurdi, where he confirmed that eight of them were UTME candidates. He said the victims would undergo medical attention and receive support before reuniting with their families.
"We will support their education and ensure such incidents do not recur," the governor pledged.
He also appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to reschedule examinations for the affected students.
Police Confirmation and JAMB Dispute
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the victims were rescued after sustained pressure on the kidnappers, leading to their release in the early hours of Sunday. Authorities also disclosed that suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack, while investigations continued in collaboration with other security agencies.
However, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has maintained that the abducted individuals were not UTME candidates, stating they were participants in a police recruitment exercise returning from Makurdi. The board said UTME candidates are assigned specific centers and do not travel collectively, casting doubt on earlier claims linking the victims to the examination.
