On April 15, 2026, at about 6:45 p.m. WAT, armed men reportedly abducted no fewer than 14 passengers along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Benue State. Many of the victims were believed to be candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), traveling from Makurdi to Otukpo Local Government Area for their scheduled examination. The incident has sparked widespread concern across the state and beyond.
Witnesses said the attackers intercepted the commercial vehicle conveying the students and other passengers, forcing them into the bush. The abduction occurred just as the candidates were preparing for their exams, leaving families distraught and communities shaken.
By 7:30 p.m., local authorities confirmed they had received distress calls and dispatched security operatives to the area. Police officials in Makurdi stated that patrols were intensified along the highway, but details about the victims’ whereabouts remained unclear.
Public response was immediate. At 8:00 p.m., social media platforms carried hashtags such as #MakurdiOtukpoAbduction and #SecureBenue, with citizens demanding stronger security measures. Parents of JAMB candidates voiced fears about the safety of their children, while community leaders condemned the attack as a direct assault on education and opportunity.
At 9:15 p.m., advocacy groups in Benue issued statements urging both state and federal governments to prioritize highway security. They noted that the Makurdi–Otukpo road has become increasingly dangerous, with repeated reports of kidnappings and armed robberies.
By 10:00 p.m., residents of Otukpo gathered at local meeting points, calling for urgent intervention. Some described the abduction as a failure of governance, while others appealed for calm, stressing the need to support security agencies in their rescue efforts.
National attention quickly followed. At 10:45 p.m., education advocates warned that insecurity threatens the future of young Nigerians, particularly those preparing for critical examinations like JAMB. They argued that the abduction highlights the intersection of insecurity and educational disruption.
As of April 16, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., security agencies continued search operations, while families awaited updates. The abduction of 14 passengers, many of them students, has become a rallying point for calls to strengthen security infrastructure, protect learners, and restore confidence in Nigeria’s highways.
