Subscribe

Stay informed

Get the day's top headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.

By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy

the Nation

Truth in Every Story

twitterfacebookinstagramyoutube

News

  • Politics
  • Business
  • Technology
  • World

Features

  • Opinion
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Video

Company

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Advertise

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility

© 2026 the Nation. All rights reserved.

SitemapRSS Feed
News

Gunmen abduct 18 JAMB candidates in Benue community

Gunmen in Benue State have kidnapped 18 passengers, mostly students, travelling for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The victims, all

Gunmen abduct 18 JAMB candidates in Benue community
Share this article
April 17, 2026byThe Nation
2 min read

Gunmen in Benue State have kidnapped 18 passengers, mostly students, travelling for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The victims, all passengers on a commercial vehicle, were kidnapped along Otukpo Road after their bus came under attack on Tuesday night.

The driver of the vehicle and a passenger reportedly escaped from the kidnappers, who marched other victims into nearby bushes.

Read Also: 8 Division Garrison wins 2026 Nigerian Army inter-brigade corporals competition

The incident has heightened concerns about rising insecurity in Otukpo, a major town in Benue South, which has experienced kidnappings and armed attacks along key routes in recent years.

At the time of filing this report yesterday, all kidnapped victims had yet to be accounted for. Their identities and the exact location of the attack were yet to be officially confirmed.

Some locals described the attack as “terrifying” and questioned the safety of travellers within the region.

Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the incident.

Benue State Police Command said it has not received report of the attack.

Attempt to speak with the Information officer of Benue Links transport company John Ehi, failed as he neither answered his phone calls nor replied text messages. 

Tags:JAMB
Share this article
The Nation

Related Articles

Lagos taps Lagoon literacy to drive blue economy push

Lagos taps Lagoon literacy to drive blue economy push

The Lagos State Government has launched a water-based public engagement platform, “Library on the Lagoon,” in a move to deepen environmental awareness, tackle pollution, and strengthen its blue economy agenda

1 minute ago
Borno: Remi Tinubu commissions Zulum’s nursing quarters, two mega schools

Borno: Remi Tinubu commissions Zulum’s nursing quarters, two mega schools

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday commissioned a newly constructed nursing quarters and two mega schools in Maiduguri, Borno State Capital. The projects were executed by

5 minutes ago
2027 opposition coalition faces set back as Accord Party denies involvement in single-candidate plan

2027 opposition coalition faces set back as Accord Party denies involvement in single-candidate plan

Plans by opposition political parties to present a single presidential candidate in the 2027 general election appear to be facing early cracks as the Accord Party has denied any involvement

6 minutes ago
CEO highlights challenges, seeks urgent reforms in real estate sector

CEO highlights challenges, seeks urgent reforms in real estate sector

The CEO of Zeeks Homes Ltd, Ezekiel Ryan, has provided a candid assessment of Nigeria’s real estate landscape, describing a sector driven by strong demand but constrained by deep structural

10 minutes ago