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- Urges JAMB to reschedule exams
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Governor Alia of Benue State has read the riot act to criminals after the 15 passengers kidnapped in an 18-seater Benue Links bus last Wednesday, April 15, 2026, regained their freedom on Sunday.
The 18 passengers en route Otukpo, 15 were kidnapped at Taraku along the Makurdi-Otukpo road by gun men and taken into the bush.
Out of the 15, eight of the victims were confirmed to be Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB), examination candidates heading to Otukpo in Benue South Senatorial district to sit for their exams the following morning.
The names of the JAMB candidates were given as Jessica Akor, Daniel Gbile, Ngukulan Iornav, Benjamin Nyikwagh, Paul Wende, Anodokator Nyikwagh, John Ukaha and Agatha Buter.
Others victims who were also rescued were Augustine Okechalo, Emmanuel Okechalo, Joshua Elaigwu, Hyacinth Okoh, Sylvester Orih, Timothy Kim and Simon Friday.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ifeanyi Emenari while handing over the rescued victims to the Governor at Government House Makurdi, said the victims were abducted and taken inside the Amla Forest.
Emenari who recalled receiving marching orders from the IGP and the state Governor for their rescue said, “To the glory of God today, all the 18 passengers in the Benue Links bus are free.
“The last 13 of the passengers were rescued early this morning. I want to thank all the security stakeholders that participated in the operation.
He appreciated the chairman of the local government area, security and all sister security agencies for their role in the rescue exercise saying it was a collaborative joint effort, supported and monitored by the state government.
He said the police have in its custody eight suspects, seven of them who are suspected to be linked with the recent kidnapping incident and the ones that happened previously.
He said “One or two of the victims have already identified some of them as having participated in the operation. And we are widening our scope of investigation, working hand-in-hand with other security agencies and the community.”
The commissioner stated that the command will not tolerate kidnapping, Banditry or any undesirable elements inhabiting any farmland or any forest, and using it as a base to commit nefarious activities.
“We are still on with our operations, and we can assure you that we are on top of the situation. Our roots must be free, and we are achieving this by the grace of God.
Responding, Governor Hyacinth Alia, who was visibly elated appreciate the commission of police in the state and all the security agencies for their efforts and determination rescuing “these fine young people and travellers that on the 15th of this month were kidnapped between Taraku in Gwer East and Otukpo.
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He said, “Since then, all the security heads have never rested. None of us has experienced peace.
He noted that that axis of the state has been in the news for the wrong reasons recalling, “Just a few months ago, there was a rescue of 20 medical students who were coming from Gwer East, traveling to the east, and again, 17 victims were also rescued as citizens from Oju on their way to the southwest of the country.
“Not too long ago, nine parishioners in Oju were also rescued with another 13 rescued in Katsina Ala LGA.
He credited the rescues to the hard work and determination of the security officers and the joint task force with the efforts of various communities, reiterating his determination to curb insecurities in the state.
He again called on the police commissioner and all security heads in the state to stay guard, to ensure that they curb insecurities and flush out all the highlights of the bad guys in the state.
Alia stated, “Among the members that were kidnapped on the 15th day, we have eight young people who were traveling to prepare for their future, students who were going to write their examinations.
“Seven people were regular passengers. So on the whole, 18 people were in this vehicle. 15 of them were kidnapped. One escaped on the same day, same evening. One escaped the following day, morning.
“We thank God today, all the remaining 13 have been rescued by uniformed men, by the task force, by the cooperating immediate communities.
“And we remain grateful to God. I’m very grateful to hear that 7 suspects are already in the police custody and have been identified as bandits, hit men who are so fully armed.
“Benue has been the place of peace. We cannot tolerate or accommodate anything that is outside of peace. I would like authorities to comb properly and ensure all accomplices are also brought into your midst.
“And this will go quite distant to ensure every kidnapper, every bandit, every con man in the states, that the state is never prepared to welcome them.”
Governor Alia called on JAMB authorities to look very deeply into the case of the eight young students and have them scheduled to write their JAMB saying government is willing to take care of the rest of them.
He assured the young students of support and medical care to enable them recover and get back on their feet.
Alia also sympathized want with families of the victims for their patience, resilience, cooperation and support to the uniformed men and women to ensure the children return back home safely.
Some of the students and their family members appreciated God, the state government and security agencies for their efforts and for the safe return of their children.
