Police Rescue Abducted UTME Candidates in Benue, Apprehend Eight Suspects
The Benue State Police Command has successfully rescued the University and Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates who were abducted last Wednesday at Ikubi, Otukpo. This operation marks a significant victory in the ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and ensure public safety in the region.
Details of the Abduction and Rescue Operation
Initially, all passengers in an 18-seater Benue Links bus were kidnapped, with only the driver and one other person managing to escape. However, some victims later escaped from captivity during the ordeal. At the time of the rescue, a total of 13 kidnapped victims had been freed. Among these, eight were candidates scheduled to sit for the UTME on Thursday, while the remaining five were random passengers traveling on the bus.
The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Enemari, presented the rescued victims to Governor Hyacinth Alia at the Government House in Makurdi. He emphasized that the police worked tirelessly without rest since the kidnapping occurred. Enemari commended the prompt intervention of the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, who deployed an intelligence team to the state. He also highlighted the crucial support from other sister security agencies and the Benue State Governor, which played a vital role in ensuring the mission's success.
Apprehension of Suspects and Government Response
CP Enemari disclosed that eight suspects have been apprehended, with seven of them directly connected to the kidnapping. Governor Alia praised the police and other security agencies for their diligent efforts in rescuing the victims. He stated that these bandits, identified as herdsmen, would be flushed out of the state to prevent future incidents.
Victim's Harrowing Experience
One of the victims, Odinakachukwu Jessica, shared her traumatic experience. She recounted leaving Makurdi at about 6 p.m. on April 15 to travel to Otukpo, where she was scheduled to write the JAMB exam at 6 a.m. the next day. At approximately 8 p.m., their bus was stopped by armed individuals who ordered all passengers to disembark.
Jessica described being taken into the bush, where they trekked until 2 a.m. before being allowed to rest. At 4 a.m., they were awakened to drink water from a stream also used by cows, highlighting the harsh conditions they endured. The kidnappers frequently changed locations, forcing the victims to walk long distances while being flogged. On Thursday evening around 7 p.m., they were given phones to call their parents and demand a ransom of N10 million for each victim.
This rescue operation underscores the ongoing challenges of kidnapping in Nigeria and the critical role of coordinated security efforts in protecting citizens, especially vulnerable groups like students preparing for important examinations.
