Gunmen Abduct UTME Candidates in Benue Ambush, Throwing Exam Season Into Chaos Amid Rising Insecurity Fears
Gunmen have abducted several passengers, including candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Benue State, raising serious concerns over the growing threat to children’s safety and access to education.
The affected persons, mostly young students travelling to sit for the examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), were reportedly attacked on Wednesday night while on a Benue Links bus heading to Otukpo.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers intercepted the vehicle around 8 p.m. and forced many of the passengers into the bush. Authorities later confirmed that at least 14 persons were abducted, with one individual managing to escape.
The incident has heightened fears over the safety of children and young people, particularly those required to travel for critical academic activities. What should have been a routine journey to an examination centre has instead exposed students to life-threatening danger.
Education stakeholders warn that such attacks are not only a direct threat to the lives of children but also a major disruption to their academic progress. With insecurity spreading across key routes, many students now face the risk of missing examinations, delaying their educational advancement, or abandoning schooling altogether.
Child development experts note that repeated exposure to violence and insecurity can have lasting psychological effects, including trauma, anxiety, and reduced academic performance. These challenges ultimately limit children’s ability to participate fully in education and national development.
The attack also raises broader concerns about the safety of school-related travel and the enforcement of transport regulations. Reports suggest the bus may have been operating outside approved hours, further exposing passengers to risk in an already volatile environment.
Security operatives have since launched a rescue operation, with local authorities confirming deployment of personnel into surrounding areas to secure the release of the affected persons.
As efforts continue, the incident underscores the urgent need for improved security measures to protect students and ensure that children can safely access education without fear of violence or abduction.
