Benue kidnap: Police arrest seven suspects in joint security operation

• Kidnap victims not UTME candidates -JAMB

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi and Fred Ezeh (Abuja)

The Benue State Police Command has arrested seven suspects in connection with the kidnapping incident that occurred on April 15, 2026 in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed this yesterday is a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet.

Emenari, who described the arrest as a significant breakthrough, said the victims were receiving medical attention. He was, however, on the number of those rescued.

He explained that the arrest followed a coordinated joint security operation involving the Police and other sister security agencies. The statement reads in part:  “Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in police custody while investigation is ongoing.

He debunked that claim that the victims were part of UTME candidates going to write their examinations in Markudi.

The Commissioner assured members of the public that the Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, would intensify efforts to rescue the remaining victims and ensure the full restoration of peace and security in the affected area.

“Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the following official police hotlines: 08066006475, 07067374913, or report at the nearest police station. The Command further urges continued cooperation by providing credible and timely information to security agencies,” the statement added.

In a similar reaction, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that the recently kidnapped travellers along Otukpo-Markudi road were not candidates of the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as erroneously reported in the media.

 JAMB, in a statement on Saturday by its Public Communications Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said the victims were participants in a police recruitment exercise who were apparently returning to their base in Otukpo.

“It is regrettable that, in moments like this, there is a tendency to hastily malign government institution such as JAMB without proper verification of facts,” Benjamin said.