Ondo State Police foil bomb plot, arrest 16 suspects for various crimes

Gunmen abduct UTME candidates and other passengers in Benue

Gunmen abducted passengers, including candidates for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination, along the Makurdi-Otukpo road in Benue State. The incident occurred on Wednesday night when a Benue Links bus, carrying approximately 18 passengers, was intercepted near Otukpo. Most occupants were taken into the bush, though the driver and one passenger reportedly escaped. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed 14 abductions and stated that one victim managed to escape. He is currently in Otukpo coordinating rescue operations. The police command has initiated an investigation into the incident, noting that the Benue Links management has a policy against night travel, but the driver allegedly picked up passengers after official hours. The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the abduction, stating that security operatives have been deployed to the area to rescue the victims, who are primarily young individuals traveling to Otukpo for the JAMB examination. The Makurdi-Otukpo road has experienced repeated attacks by gunmen in recent months.