Armed males have reportedly kidnapped no fewer than 14 passengers, lots of them believed to be candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, alongside the Makurdi–Otukpo street in Benue State.
The victims have been stated to be travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo Native Authorities Space, LGA, on Wednesday night for his or her scheduled examination when the incident occurred.
The ill-fated car, an 18-seater Benue Hyperlinks bus, was ambushed by the gunmen a couple of kilometres from Otukpo city at about 7 p.m.
A supply within the space disclosed that the attackers stopped the bus on the freeway and compelled the passengers into a close-by forest.
“The passengers have been all marched into the forest. From what we gathered, most of them have been college students coming to Otukpo to jot down JAMB exams,” the supply stated.
He knowledgeable that the bus was absolutely loaded on the time of the assault, “however about 4 individuals, together with the motive force, managed to flee.
“As we communicate, the police and different safety personnel have commenced a search operation to rescue the victims and observe down the criminals,” he stated.
Confirming the incident, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, stated he had mobilised tactical groups and Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, to the realm to steer rescue efforts.
“I’m in Otukpo now. All my crew and DPOs are within the bush, and I’m personally heading the operation,” he stated.
“What occurred was {that a} Benue Hyperlinks bus carrying passengers to Otukpo was stopped and attacked by hoodlums. Fourteen passengers have been kidnapped, whereas one managed to flee,” the commissioner added.
He, nevertheless, expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the journey, noting that Benue Hyperlinks doesn’t function night time companies.
“Benue Hyperlinks, as a coverage, doesn’t often journey at night time. From the data I’ve, the corporate had already closed for the day, however the driver, for causes we’re nonetheless attempting to establish, picked up passengers alongside the street. That’s how the incident occurred,” Emenari said.
Sponsored
The commissioner assured that investigations have been ongoing and reaffirmed the command’s dedication to making sure the secure rescue of the kidnapped passengers.
In the meantime, suspected terrorists kidnapped a college proprietor and 4 farmers in Odo-Ore neighborhood in Isin Native Authorities Space of Kwara State.
The attackers, stated to be about 10 in quantity, stormed the neighborhood on Wednesday night, firing sporadically earlier than abducting 5 residents.
It was gathered that the neighborhood has no police station or safety presence to repel the assault, which has left residents in worry. Sources stated the incident marked the primary time such an assault had occurred within the space.
In keeping with findings, the gunmen went straight to the residence of Yusuf Yunusa, a distinguished politician and college proprietor, at about 11 p.m.
They reportedly compelled their means via the gate, broke the primary door of the home, and kidnapped him at gunpoint whereas he was making ready to sleep. Yunusa, who additionally owns a personal faculty in Lagos, had arrived in Odo-Ore earlier that day.
4 different victims, stated to be Hausa farmers, have been kidnapped by the attackers whereas they have been leaving the neighborhood.
A resident, who spoke on situation of anonymity, alleged that the assault on Yunusa might have been aided by informants.
“The terrorists’ assault on Alhaji Yusuf might be attributed to informants as a result of they went straight to his residence to abduct him.
“He was making ready to sleep round 11 p.m. once they compelled their means via his gate, broke the primary door of his home and took him away,” the supply stated.
A senior police officer on the Owu-Isin Divisional Headquarters confirmed the incident.
Nevertheless, the Kwara State Police Command had but to answer the event as of press time, as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi, weren’t answered.
SPONSORED