By Peter Duru, Makurdi
The management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited has confirmed that its driver who conveyed kidnapped passengers, mostly Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, examination condidates, in an 18-seater bus from Makurdi to Otukpo has been arrested.
The management also clarified that the driver violated company rules by embarking on the trip without approval thereby endangering the lives of the passengers.
In a statement issued by the company’s Information Officer, Ehi Daniel, the management disclosed that the driver and a few passengers escaped during the attack, while 15 others were abducted by the assailants.
Part of the statement read “the management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited regrets to confirm an unfortunate security incident involving one of its vehicles, which occurred on the night of Wednesday April 15, 2026 at the Ikobi area in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
“Reports indicate that the vehicle, an 18-seater bus, was conveying passengers, most of whom were candidates scheduled to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination the
following day, when it was attacked by armed persons.
“During the incident, the driver and a few passengers managed to escape, while 15 passengers were reportedly abducted. Two of the abducted passengers subsequently escaped, bringing the number of those currently unaccounted for to 13.
“Management wishes to state unequivocally that the said trip was unauthorized and conducted in clear violation of the company’s operational guidelines.
“There is a standing directive prohibiting all company vehicles from undertaking journeys beyond 6pm due to prevailing security challenges. The driver, acting without the knowledge or approval of management, removed the vehicle from the company’s premises, picked up passengers and embarked on
the journey without due documentation or clearance.
“As a result of this breach of protocol, the trip was not officially recorded and the company currently does not have comprehensive details of the affected passengers, aside from indications that a majority were JAMB candidates.
“The driver involved is presently in police custody and investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The General Manager, Comrade Alexander Fanafa, on behalf of management and staff of the company, deeply sympathizes with the families of the affected passengers and shares in their distress at this difficult time.
“The company is working closely with relevant security agencies to support ongoing efforts aimed at securing the safe release of the abducted passengers.
“Benue Links Nigeria Limited reiterates its commitment to the safety and security of its passengers and will continue to enforce strict compliance with its operational policies to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.”
Meanwhile the Benue State Police Command, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet confirmed the arrest assuring that efforts were on to rescue the victims.
According to her, “the Police is on top of the situation, the Command has already deployed several Tactical Teams including the Anti – kidnapping Team, the command management team and other sister agencies to continue to track and rescue the remaining passengers and also arrest other suspects.”
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