Eight of the passengers rescued from last Wednesday’s Benue Links bus abduction have now been confirmed as candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), contrary to earlier denials by both the examination body and the police.
The victims were among those abducted on April 15, 2026, along the Makurdi–Otukpo Road while travelling in an 18-seater bus to Otukpo, where they were scheduled to sit for their examinations.
They were released in the early hours of Sunday after spending about three days in captivity.
The rescued passengers, including three girls, were later taken to the Benue State Government House in Makurdi by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, alongside their parents and guardians, for an official reception by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Meanwhile, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had on Saturday dismissed reports that the abducted passengers were UTME candidates.
JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, said the individuals were instead linked to an ongoing police recruitment exercise and were returning to Otukpo at the time of the incident.
He added that the misidentification had exposed the board to unnecessary public criticism and called for those behind the claims to retract and apologise.
The Benue State Police Command also maintained that the victims were not part of any organised UTME-bound student convoy, describing them as ordinary passengers in a Makurdi-bound bus.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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