Governor Calls for Rescheduling of Exams for Kidnapped UTME Candidates
The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to reschedule the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for eight affected candidates who were kidnapped during their journey to Otukpo. This appeal came after the governor hosted the victims at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, where he emphasized that they are victims of circumstance and should not be overlooked.
Alia shared details about the incident, explaining that 15 out of the 18 passengers on a Benue Links bus were taken by kidnappers last Wednesday night between Taraku and Otukpo in the Gwer East and Otukpo Local Government Areas. He revealed that seven of the passengers were regular travelers, while 15 were kidnapped. One of the victims managed to escape, and another followed suit the next day. The remaining 13 were eventually rescued by security agents with the help of local communities.
He urged JAMB to consider the case of the eight students and reschedule their exams, stating, “I call on JAMB to look into the case of the eight young students and reschedule dates for them to write their examination.”
Medical Attention for Victims
In addition, the governor directed the State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, to take the victims to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, for medical examinations and treatment before they are reunited with their families. This step ensures that the victims receive proper care following their traumatic experience.
Alia also commended the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and other security agencies for their efforts in rescuing the victims. He acknowledged the diligence of security operatives in addressing kidnapping across the state. However, he emphasized the need for continued efforts to tackle criminal elements in ungoverned areas.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigations
The governor confirmed that seven suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident. He urged security agencies to intensify their efforts to flush out these criminal elements. “Our people deserve to live in peace,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the eight kidnapped UTME candidates, Jessica Akor, shared her harrowing experience. She revealed that the abductors threatened to kill them if a ransom of N10 million was not paid. Her account comes amid a denial by JAMB, which stated in a statement issued on Saturday that none of its candidates was among those abducted.
Personal Account of the Ordeal
Speaking to PUNCH Metro on Sunday, Akor described her journey. She left Makurdi on Wednesday evening to sit for her UTME scheduled for 6 a.m. on Thursday. According to her, the vehicle departed Makurdi at about 6 p.m. and was intercepted by armed men near Otukpo at around 8 p.m.
She recounted, “On 15 April, I left Makurdi at about 6 p.m. for Otukpo, where I was scheduled to write JAMB by 6am. At about 8pm, I did not know our exact location, but our bus began to show signs of breaking down. Some men stopped the vehicle and ordered all of us to come down. Some passengers were reluctant, and they hit me on my lap before I came down.”
Akor added that the armed men took them into the bush and held them there until about 2 a.m., when they were allowed to rest briefly. The next day at about 4 a.m., they were taken to a lake where their cattle also drink from. They drank from it because they were very thirsty.
“They kept changing our location, and we kept walking long distances as they flogged us. It was on Thursday evening, around 7 p.m., that they gave us our phones to call our parents and demanded a ransom of N10 million for each of us. They warned that if our parents did not pay the ransom, they would kill all of us. Anytime we were hungry, they would give us gari mixed with salt,” she said.
Rescue and Next Steps
Akor expressed gratitude to God and security operatives for their rescue, commending their efforts and commitment. She is among the 13 abducted passengers who were later rescued by combined security operatives.
The state Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed the development in a text message on Sunday morning, stating that the rescued victims would soon be brought to Makurdi. “Yes, we’re planning a news conference this morning when they arrive in Makurdi,” the CP said.
He had earlier disclosed on Friday that five of the victims had been rescued, leaving 13 still in captivity at the time.
